Florence Kozen

AUSTINTOWN - Prayers will begin Saturday at 10:30 a.m. at the Higgins-Reardon Funeral Homes, Austintown Chapel, followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 11 a.m. at St. Joseph's Church in Austintown for Florence L. Kozen, 88, who passed away April 14, 2018 at Heron Club Assisted Living Facility in Sarasota, FL.

Florence was born on Aug. 19, 1929, in Niagara Falls, N.Y., daughter of the late Robert and Louise (Kozdranski) Rydzewski.

She was a devout Catholic and a proud member of the St. Joseph Church congregation for many years. She loved helping others and selflessly devoted much of her time offering her services in soup kitchens and making pierogis for the Holy Trinity Church.

In addition to volunteering, Florence spent 10 years working as a secretary for the United Paper Company. Florence loved having fun, she enjoyed dancing at polka festivals, working on her bowling average, traveling, and spending time with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren, whom she adored.

She leaves behind her daughters, Suzanne (Jerry) Shuster, of Sarasota, Fla., Shari (John) Zen, of Grand Junction, Colo.; grandchildren, Jerad (Jennifer) Shuster, Adam (Katie) Shuster, and Daniel Apolinar; great-grandchildren, Alexis, Logan and Sydney Shuster, Matthew and Luke Shuster, Cadence Apolinar; and brother Robert Rydzewski Jr.

Florence was preceded in death by her parents, her brother Richard Rydzewski, and her husband of 62 years, Chester Kozen.

Family and friends may call Friday, April 27, 2018, from 5 to 7 p.m. at the Higgins-Reardon Funeral Home, Austintown Chapel, 4303 Mahoning Ave. in Youngstown.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in Florence's name to Tidewell Hospice, 3550 S. Tamiami Trail in Sarasota, FL 34239.