Phyllis Kozma

April 30, 2022

Phyllis M. Kozma, 97, passed away peacefully on Saturday, April 30, at the Branford Hills Health Care Center in Branford, Connecticut. She was born in 1925 in Karridale (near to Perth), Western Australia, to Thomas & Violet Osborn. She and her husband, Andrew “Joe,” met during WWII when he was stationed in Australia while serving aboard submarines in the US Navy. They were married in Australia and when the war ended, she came over to America aboard one of the “war bride” ships with her first son, William, along with many hundreds of other new brides & children. After a few years in Staten Island, NY, they moved out to Westbury, NY (on Long Island) where they raised the rest of their children (a total of 10 sons and one daughter).

They were married for 57 years until his death in 2002.

Phyllis is survived by her daughter Margaret Spier ( John), her sons Dave (Liz), Bobbi, Richard (Connie), Peter (Ruth), Stephen (Kathy), Don (Bernadette), Tom (Carolyn), Christopher, her daughters-in-law Judy & Stephanie, as well as 21 grandchildren, 26 greatgrandchildren & 3 greatgreat-grandchildren.

She was predeceased by her husband, her four brothers (Bill, Reg, Les & Dennis), and two of her sons (William & Edward).

As if managing a large household and helping to coordinate the activities of many children was not enough to keep her busy, Phyllis was active in the Holy Family Catholic Church in Westbury for over 60 years since that parish was founded, until her declining health required her to move from the area. She loved singing in both the church choir and in the Holy Family Players which made a trip to Rome where they met the Pope.

Phyllis served as a volunteer election poll worker for many years and, as the number of children at home got smaller, she went to work in the back office of a bank.

A graveside service will be held later this summer on Long Island when all of her family members will be there. For directions and online memorial, see www. wsclancy.com.