Mary Kostka

Kostka, Mary Frances 88 August 19, 1924 - January 23 2013 On Aug. 19,1924, a baby girl was born to polish immigrants Louise and her husband, Frank Korzon in Flint, Michigan. "Mary Frances" would be the second of their children (Leo, Genevieve, Eddy, Helen). Growing up during the great depression was very challenging for the Kozon family. Even something as simple as an orange was considered a special treat. Despite having a very heavy polish accent Mary persevered in school. She graduated from "All Saints High School" in 1942. With World War II in full swing by this time she took a job as a medical secretary at a local hospital. She prided herself on being able to type over a hundred words a minute flawlessly. Years later, in 1948, she met a young man who she married. They started their life together in Flint, Michigan having 2 children then moving to Texas where 2 more children were born. Finally, returning to Michigan brought Mary the last 2 of her 6 children. She worked for 25 years at AC Spark Plug in Flint where she won a safety contest by creating the slogan: "You and me plus AC equal the best key to safety". Mary loved gardening and would work in the yard for hours. She enjoyed her vegetable garden, dwarf orchard, roses and her magnificent white cherry tree. She loved canning stewed tomatoes, peppers and crabapple jelly. Mary moved to Sun City Center, Florida to a condo where she could enjoy the warm weather all year around in 1996. She still enjoyed her gardening and the love of cooking. She made the best polish Galumpkis, potato pancakes, beet soup, turkey barley soup and sauerkraut soup. She had a sign hanging in her kitchen: "Pa is the boss as everyone knows but what Ma says always goes". A strong woman knows she has strength enough for the journey, But a woman of strength knows it is in the journey where she will become strong. She passed on January 23, 2013 of natural causes. Mary is survived by her Children, Jack Kostka of Michigan, Bill Kostka of Colorado, Dave Kostka of Arizona, Jeanne (Marty) Baruth of Florida, Tim (Rhonda) Kostka of Florida and Mary Frances (Tom) Cummings of Florida and her very best friend of 80 years, Stella Dasczynski. She is also survived by many loving grandchildren: Morgan, TJ, Madison, Davey, Harrison, Greg, Leslie, Lauren and Katie and 1 great grandchild, Charlotte. Interment will be held at Evergreen Cemetery in Grand Blanc, Michigan. Mary was truly loved and will be deeply missed.