Rose Pierwola Kokoska Frey
June 22, 1917-December 31, 2011
The angels sang as Rose entered into heaven on Saturday, December 31, 2011. Rose was born on June 22, 1917 in Fairfield to Rozalia and Josef Pierwola and attended school in Hamburg, NY. She married Frank Kokoska and together they raised their nine children in the house he built for her until his death in 1963.
She finished raising her family before her second marriage to Everett Frey, in 1971. Dr. Frey passed away in 1986.
Rose worked as a nurses’ aide at the former Westport Manor for several years. She immensely enjoyed gardening, cooking, day trips and watching the birds outside her porch windows. More than anything, her family and religion were the most important things in her life.
She leaves to cherish her memory her nine children: Frances Johnson of Fordland, MO, Frank (Elaine) Kokoska of Redding, Dorothy (Rit) Bellefeuille of Easton, Patricia (Robert) Palmer of Mardela Springs, MD, John (Jay) Kokoska of Wernersville, PA, Maryann (Gregory) Belta of Westport, Rosemarie Corr of Fairfield, Carol Kokoska of S. Portland, ME and Thomas (Susan) Kokoska of Newtown; 15 grandchildren and 14 great grandchildren. She was predeceased by her three brothers, John, Joseph and Frank Pierwola and two sisters, Sister Emerenciana and Sophie Maco.
Rose’s family will be forever grateful to the loving care provided by her wonderful caregiver, Natalie. While they will miss their mother immensely, her children are comforted by the fact that their parents are finally reunited with God in heaven.
Services will take place directly at St. Anthony of Padua Church, of which her parents were founding members, and where Rose received all of her sacraments, on Friday, January 6, 2012 at 10:00 a.m. Burial will follow in Assumption Cemetery, Westport. Friends are invited to pay their respects on Thursday, January 5, 2012 from 4-8 p.m. at the Shaughnessey Banks Funeral Home, 50 Reef Road in Fairfield Center.
Donations may be made in her memory to Visiting Nurse & Hospice of Fairfield County, P.O. Box 489, Wilton, CT 06897.
Dear Rose, you will be missed. I’m so glad to have spent time with you. You were so hospitable to us when we visited all those years ago, a lovely memory of food and flowers. Your daughter, Fran, is one of my dearest friends and a blessing to all of us;We love her dearly. Your family is a wonderful tribute to your life. I look forward to meeting again someday. Blessings, Sheri
My deepest sympathy to the whole family.
Elliott
My Gram, over the years I’ve called you many things, gram, mutsy gram, prissy gram…but you always called me Mimi…I’ll always be your Mimi. I miss you so much! Please say hi to my mom’s mom and Uncle bill. I miss them a lot too! Until we meet again, gram, I love you!
My dearest mother. You were the greatest. My hero, my role model, the wind beneath my wings. I know that you are looking down on all of us with daddy by your side, being proud of what the two of you, with all your love, created. I am thankful for many things in my life but you are the most important thing I have ever had and I will miss you dearly. I know in my heart you will continue to be by my side just as daddy has been for so many years. I know in time that you will send me and to all of us a sign that you are still with us. Am looking forward to seeing that. Enjoy your new life and remember always that we all love you. Thank you for being my mom. Love Carol
I will be missed! I promised to add raisins to the paczki next Christmas!
Well actually I mean you’ll be missed..opps! See I am a Kokoska!
The Kokoskas were very lucky to have such a wonderful lady to pass down the traditions that are still a part of many of our lives today. From all of the delicious recipes she taught us, to the many Polish words and phrases (which I’m still not sure are real or not), Gram was full of spirit and love. I have so many fun memories of Christmas get-togethers, Easter egg hunts, walks down to the bridge, kluski soup, I spy, and many more. I will miss Gram very much, but I know that she is happily gardening up in heaven, watching down on all of us. We should all raise a glass of blackberry brandy and toast her amazing life.
I am so sorry for you loss. You will be in my thoughts and prayers.
My deepest sympathy on the loss of a very special woman.
Mom loved each and every one of us….She was the best….she took care of us and then we took care of her….and thats the way it was….her room is very empty now, I sat for over an hour and just silence……and the woodpecker out the window peeping in as if to say, where is that lady that loved watching me all the time…..but she still is here, there is a little part of mom in each and every one of us…and Rosie was very lucky to get her sign already, and I will be patient and wait, and it will come…and I will wait…..Thank you mom for all you did for me, I love you so and there is such a heaviness in my heart. But I know you are with Daddy, and thats the way it is….
Oh Rosie — how I will miss you! Knowing that you and Dad are together again forever, with Billy keeping an eye on you, makes me know you will be fine. Keep a watchful eye on us, tell God when we need His help, give Dad our love, and save enough space for all of us til we’re together as a family again forever. All my love, Rosemarie
Maryann & Rose and all of Rose’s children: As I read the guestbook entries, I could see what a wonderful woman your mother was. I remember her so well. The last time I saw her was quite a few years ago on New Year’s Eve at the Peppermill. You had a small room to yourself and your mother was still as pretty as ever. I know you will have nothing but the best memories of her. You are all blessed to have such a wonderful family.
Mary
St. Anthony’s school Class of 1963
…sending a prayer that your warmest memories will help ease your grief and bring you comfort…
our deepest sympathy…Randy, Jean, Sydney & Eric
My deepest sympathies for the loss of your Mom.
Our deepest, most sincere sympathy to the whole Kokoska Family. May the peace of God that passes all understanding, be with you all during this difficult time. May you also find comfort in envisioning a new and beautiful angel up in heaven looking down and lovingly watching over you all.
All our love, Ralph & Melissa