Barbara Kostuch

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Mary Barbara Kostuch, at age 85, reunited on March 26th, 2024 with her beloved and dearly missed husband, Raymond Matthew Kostuch, who predeceased her (1981). Recently predeceased by her dear son Paul Kostuch (2024) and brother Martin Hawdur (2020).

Barbara was born in Wilno, Poland on August 28, 1938, and lost her father, Captain Antoni Kuzian, early in the war as he defended Poland against the Russian invasion. During the war, her mother, Captain Bronislawa Madracki, was separated from her. As a result, Barbara was raised in Poland by her dear Aunt Zosia Madracki, who predeceased her. She is also survived by a dear cousin in Poland, Maria Szopowska.

Barbara arrived in Canada as an eleven year old child to finally rejoin her mother and new step-father, Lieutenant Waclaw Hawdur. Both of whom predeceased her. Barbara resided in Toronto, Brockville and Bobcaygeon for the majority of her life. Barbara was a loving wife and mother and strongly devoted to her Roman Catholic faith. Barbara and her husband were blessed with seven children. Lovingly remembered and survived by her six children: Ray (Audrey), Barbara Kalivas (Mike), Anthony (Joy), Elaine Mallory (Dave), Jeff (Kim), and John. Dear Babi to eleven grandchildren: Matthew, Michael, Richard (Amanda), Katelyn, Aleksy and Cruz Kostuch; John (Mackenzie) and Karoline Kalivas; Baileigh, Kassia and Colton Mallory; and one great grandchild William Raymond Kostuch. Barbara is also survived by her three sisters-in-law, Helen Martinovic, Anita Hawdur and Jean Biega, and many nieces and nephews.

Barbara was an independent, successful, and generous person whose life centered around her family. She enjoyed music, shows, boat rides, walks, reading, time at the water, sun on her face, sunsets, full moons and loved her dogs. Barbara was an excellent cook and baker and her children learned much from her. Despite having dementia in her later years, Barbara remained remarkably logical in her thinking, and even passed along many recent words of wisdom for her children to cherish.

Recently Barbara was lovingly cared for by staff at the Courtyards on Eagleson memory care home in Kanata. Thank you to all the exceptional staff for your care. The family would also like to thank Barbara’s homecare friends in Bobcaygeon, which helped her stay in her home for as long as possible. Thank you also to the Queensway Carleton Hospital doctors and nurses for your recent care and tremendous efforts.

A Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Tuesday, April 2, 2024 at 11:00 a.m. at St. Francis Xavier Church, Brockville, with interment to follow at St. Francis Xavier Cemetery. As expressions of sympathy, donations to the Catholic Missionary Sisters of St. Peter Claver or the Passionist Missionaries or the Brockville and District Hospital Foundation Palliative Care Unit will be gratefully acknowledged by the family.

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