Kathleen M. Koscielniak

Kathleen “Kathy” Koscielniak (Kathleen Mae Kinem Koscielniak) passed away peacefully on January 13th. Born in Erie, Kathy was the daughter of the late Michael and Elizabeth Kinem. She attended St. Benedict’s Academy and graduated in 1970. Kathy married Joe Koscielniak in 1971 and had Rachel and Cindy in the early 70s. She raised her children until they entered school, then began her life’s work with school children at the Girard School District as a teachers aide, eventually supporting children with intellectual disabilities. This is where she found her love of teaching, so she pushed herself to attend college, formalizing her education as an adult. Kathy loved college and graduated with high honors from Gannon University in 1995.

Kathy first taught at Holy Trinity, then transitioned to Girard School District where she taught 3rd then 5th and 6th graders.  For more than 17 years, she enjoyed watching them grow into young adults. This was her dream job in which she retired from in 2012.

Kathy adored her grandchildren and spent as much time as she could with them, both near and far. She enjoyed the pool and beach, and lots of sun with family, never one to hold back her love and laughter. A frequent, vocal spectator of her grandkids’ sporting events, she was affectionately known by her grandkids as Grandma or Gma, and by many others simply as Granny K.

Kathy had a very active social life after retirement, cherishing the frequent lunches she shared with her close friends. She was also an avid at-home cook, preparing meals with love to nourish her family.

She was preceded in death by her brothers Charles, Michael, Thomas, and William and is survived by her sister Barbara Leone (Paul).

Kathy will be dearly missed by her husband, Joe, of nearly 55 years, her two daughters Rachel Hawkins (Gary), Cindy Gruca (Ron), her Grandkids, Simone, Muriel, Emily and Will, plus many nieces and nephews, and countless friends.

In lieu of flowers, please feel free to make a donation to the Girard Lake City Christian Cupboard Community Food Pantry, an organization that Kathy supported for many years, at 260 Main St E, Girard, PA 16417. Checks may be made out to Girard Presbyterian Church with "Christian Cupboard" noted in the memo line.

Friends may call on Friday, January 16th from 3:00-6:00pm at Edder Family Funeral Home, 309 Main St E, Girard.  A funeral mass will be held Saturday, January 17th at 10:00am at the St. John's Catholic Church, 1001 Main St E, Girard, PA 16417.

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