Marie Jean Kosko

Marie Jean Kosko

Of Taylor, PA

January 29, 1941 – December 5, 2023

Marie Jean Kosko, Taylor, Pa, formerly of Susquehanna 82, passed away on Tuesday December 5th, 2023. Jean was a member of St John the Evangelist Church in Susquehanna for over 60 years!

Jean was Born in Wilkes-Barre, Pa to the late Carl and Isabell Chillock. At the age of 13, she met the love of her life, Mike when as Mike would say, she shyly asked him to escort here to a Girl Scout dance. Probably the only time ever again that anyone would describe Jean as Shy!

Since they went to different schools they didn’t get the opportunity to reconnect and officially start dating until almost the end of their high school careers.

In the early years of Jeans life, she excelled at everything she attempted to do whether it be horseback riding, playing basketball, Field Hockey, as well as earning the lead in 2 high school plays, Father knows best & Cheaper by the dozen.  Jean was always an avid reader and a tremendous student and as such was asked to be the School Secretary for Father Collins at West Side Central Catholic.

Towards the end of her time at Central Catholic in 1958 she reconnected and started dating Mike. It quickly became evident to her that she had met her soulmate! Jean & Mike dated throughout her time at Misericordia University where she earned a Bachelor’s degree in History in preparation for her career as a teacher.  After her graduation she immediately married Mike on July 13th, 1963. She and Mike did everything together and were inseparable during their 60 years of marriage!

Initially she taught with Mike at Windsor Central high school. As they started their family, she just couldn’t handle the thought of not being home with her children, so Jean made the decisions to forgo teaching for a period of time to raise here 3 children, Kathy, Michael & Andrew.

Jean lived for her family and got tremendous enjoyment in supporting and participating in the things that made everyone happy.  She never missed a school activity or sporting event that her children were participating in from elementary school straight through college.

When her children took an interest in learning to fish you could see jean on the banks of the Susquehanna with them as well as at every lake or pond where it was rumored the fish were biting, she even would go out at night and pick Nightwalkers off the church banks prior to heading out to catch some big bass! Her love of fishing continued for her whole life as she enjoyed going to Lake Ontario to fish with her grandchildren Kylie & Jack.

Jean never lost her love of learning and when she felt comfortable that her kids were old enough to handle her resuming her career she went back to her career as a teacher, teaching English at Susquehanna Community High school until her retirement. She loved the students she taught and stayed connected with many of them throughout the rest of her life.  She was always so happy and gratified when one of her students succeeded in life!

Jean was touched by this phrase from the wedding ceremony, “may you live to see your children’s children and grow old in the company of good friends”.  In a life well lived, Jean did just that.  She lived to see her Daughter Kathy, Sons Michael & Andrew get married as well as bask in the joy of the birth of her grandchildren, Alex, Kylie, Luke & Jack! She will be sorely missed by everyone whose lives she touched.

In addition to all her family and friends who supported and loved her throughout her life, the family would like to thank all those that cared for Jean, particularly Dr B Patel, Dr Auriemma, as well as the staff at Aveanna homecare and Allied hospice.

Jean was predeceased by her mother and father, Isabell & Carl Chillock. In addition to her beloved husband Mike, she is survived by her Daughter Kathy (Charles) Barrow, Decatur, Ga, Michael (Terry) Kosko, Bethlehem, Pa, Andrew (Lori) Kosko, Ashburn, Va, and the joys of her life grandchildren, Alexandra, Kylie, Luke & Jack.  Sister Carolyn (Michael) Ritterman, Burlington, NJ, Niece Cindy & Nephew’s Ernie, John & Sam.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on January 12th, 12:00pm at St John’s Catholic Church, 15 East Church St, Susquehanna, Pa 18847.

The family will receive friends on January 12th from 10:00am to 12:00pm at Hennessy’s Funeral Home, 747 Jackson Ave. Susquehanna, Pa 18847

In lieu of flowers the family requests donations be made to Allied Hospice, 511 Morgan highway, Scranton, PA 18508

https://www.allied-services.org/giving/make-a-donation/