Pauline A. Kozusko

On Tuesday, March 24, 2020, Pauline Kozusko passed away at the age of 90.  For 41 years, she was the loving wife to Michael Kozusko (passed in 1992), and the proud mother of two children, John and Paul. Pauline was born on January 23, 1930 in Milan, NY, to Michael Juranic and Pauline (Trubac, maiden).  She was the middle child between older sister Katherine Freeze, and younger brother, Walter Juranic.

Her parents bought a farm in Red Hook, NY, and Pauline was always keen to share stories of growing up in that manner, having attended a "one-room schoolhouse", adventures with her brother and sister, taking care of the land and their many animals.  The property included an additional barracks-like building, with room for 7-8 beds, where her family would happily house travelers, people passing through town; she loved those days of helping to take care of people. After high school, she ventured to the big city of New York with her sister.  She loved exploring The City - she worked in the Admissions Dept at NYU, enjoyed the parks, museums, art, but she really enjoyed dancing.  And, it was at a dance hall just a few years later where she met her soon-to-be husband, Michael. 

They married on September 15, 1951, and after spending the next decade in New York, they ended up chasing the American dream and bought a house in Bogota, N.J.  It was there where they raised their two sons, John and Paul.  It was common for Pauline to keep herself busy, whether it was making sure her two boys were well taken care of, or managing her husband's electrical contracting business, to also keeping the books for a local appliance store, and eventually helping her son John at his business - she was always a person who would do for others, happily, without expecting anything in return. 

She loved freehand drawing and kept razor sharp by reading and doing puzzles.  She had a wry wit, skill for sarcasm, and ultimately, a big heart as she became the glue within her seniors group of friends with whom she'd frequently play cards on Friday, and perhaps have some wine or another favorite:  white Russian.  She was fiercely independent, loved gardening, and proudly kept up her house by herself. She also had a fondness for traveling.  Some of her favorite trips involved a slot machine, a cocktail, and a cigarette; while later in life, she fulfilled some dreams and visited multiple National Parks including Zion, Bryce Canyon, and even a helicopter ride into the Grand Canyon at the age of 85.  She was our family matriarch and she will be missed.

Pauline is survived by her sons John and Paul; and she was Grandma to Paul's son, Christopher, whom she adored.  She's also survived by daughter-in-law Alexandra, nephew Robert and wife Cheri, niece Danielle, niece Maryann and her husband Michael, nephew Ronald, great family friend Natalio, and her many friends. Sadly, the COVID 19 pandemic has limited the ability to have a properly attended funeral service and burial; as a result, Pauline will be laid to rest with her husband Michael at George Washington Memorial Park Cemetery, Paramus, NJ, in a private ceremony on Saturday, March 28, 2020 at 11am.

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