Gloria T. Cozza

With a heavy heart, we share the passing of our family matriarch Gloria Theresa Kateri (Tekakwitha, Lily of the Mohawks) Lynch Cozza, age 92, on January 2, 2023. She died peacefully surrounded by her family, with the compassionate and caring staff of the Joe Raso Hospice Residence in New City, NY.

Born February 21, 1930, the second child of Edwin and Mary Doughtery Lynch, Gloria grew up in Maspeth, Queens. After graduating Dominican Commercial High School, she started her working career in Banking. On August 29, 1959, she married Nicholas Cozza and their family lived briefly in Mount Vernon, NY before settling in Airmont, NY in November 1966. She sadly became a young widow raising their daughter Carol by herself while working full time in the banking field.

Gloria was a social butterfly who lived each day to the absolute fullest. Gloria had a unique ability to strike a conversation with anyone, being very easy to please, and when asked, “Everything was marvelous!” or it was “Out of this world!”. Gloria had a passion for travel, vacationing throughout the world to Europe, Ireland, Holy Land, across the continental USA, Hawaii, Canada, and cruising to Bermuda, Panama Canal, and Alaska. Recently, she also made a family journey to the shrine of Saint Kateri in Upstate New York. She was also a fashionista, dressing to impress with her bold colors and patterns with matching accessories. Gloria was very active with the local senior citizens clubs, holding various positions throughout the years. She loved all their adventures which she had many fond memories of.

Throughout her entire life, she always placed the utmost reverence and gratitude for God and her faith. She maintained her independence as best she could, faithfully attending Saturday 5PM mass at Church of Presentation, even in her later years.

Her devotion to always put her family first continued as she became a grandmother to her three grandchildren, Elizabeth, Nicole, and Jennifer, who had the pleasure of growing up in the same household with her, seeing her daily, learning from her, and being supported by her in all they sought to accomplish.

Despite her advancing age and Alzheimer’s, she always expressed her gratitude and appreciation for everyone and everything, constantly saying with a smile on her face how grateful she was for having lived such a fun life.

Gloria’s time on this earth was nothing short of remarkable. She will always be admired for her strength, resilience, inner fortitude, independence, selflessness, humor, and joyous nature. Gloria was a beloved mother, wonderful grandmother, and ray of sunshine to all who had the pleasure of knowing her.

Gloria is survived by her daughter, Carol Borczyk; granddaughters, Elizabeth (Gabe), Nicole (Rob), and Jennifer; and many nieces and nephews across the country. Preceded in death by her husband Nick, siblings Claire, Edwin, and Genevieve, parents, and most recently, her son-in-law Tom.

We want to thank all her doctors for all their wonderful care of Gloria for many years. A huge thank you to the kind, compassionate staff of the Joe Raso Hospice Residence. Most importantly to our home health aide Marie, for the loving, patient, compassionate care to Gloria. You were, as Gloria would say, “marvelous.”

Family will receive family & friends on Thursday, January 5, 2023 from 3-7pm at Wanamaker and Carlough Funeral Home, 177 NY-59 Suffern, NY 10901. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11:15am on Friday, January 6, 2023 at the Church of the Presentation, 271 W Saddle River Rd, Upper Saddle River, NJ 07458. A private cremation will occur.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the Joe Raso Hospice Residence.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.wanamakercarlough.com for the Cozza family.