Irene Kowalski

Irene (Zazeski) Kowalski died on Sunday morning, June 20, at her Southold home at the age of 80. Predeceasing her were her husband, John; her brothers, John Zazeski of Southold and Wesley Zazeski of Freeport; and her sister, Agnes Harvey of Pennsylvania.

Irene was born on April 18, 1930, to Frank and Stephania (Zarzecka) Zazecki in their family homestead in Southold. Irene lived and worked on the farm many long hours and days as a young girl and continuously worked the farms with her parents and five siblings until her marriage to John in 1950, later deciding to build a home and plan a family of their own.

She treasured her family and her beloved little Katie and enjoyed helping care for others. She also cared for animals and birds. Her other enjoyment was gardening, reading and visiting her new great-granddaughter Gracie.

Surviving her are two brothers, Edward Zazeski of Maine and Frank Zazeski of Washington; her sons, John Kowalski and his wife, Linda, of Mattituck, Rick Kowalski of North Carolina and Robert Kowalski and his wife, Karen, of Southold; two grandsons, John Kowalski III of Sound Beach and Matthew Kowalski of Mattituck; two granddaughters, Sandra Kowalski of California and Stephanie Kowalski of Southold; and her new great-granddaughter Grace Marie.

The family received friends yesterday, June 23, at DeFriest-Grattan Funeral Home in Southold. The Liturgy of Christian Burial will be celebrated this morning, Thursday, June 24, at 10 a.m. at St. Patrick R.C. Church in Southold. Interment will follow at St. Patrick R.C. Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the American Heart Association or the charity of your choice.