Carolyn A. Kowalewski

Carolyn A. (Zylka) Kowalewski, 78, of Fredonia died Tuesday morning (Feb. 9, 2021) at Millard Fillmore Suburban Hospital in Williamsville.

She was born Dec. 26, 1942 in Buffalo, the daughter of the late Walter Sr. and Helen (Blodzinski) Zylka.

She graduated from Bishop McMahon High School and attended Rosary Hill College where she excelled on the basketball court.

Carolyn served in the Marillac Junior Guild at Sister’s Hospital and prior to retirement worked for Erie 1 BOCES, where she trained school business office personnel in the use of financial accounting software throughout western and central NY.

She excelled at tennis as Cheektowaga women’s town champion, later turning to golf. Carol enjoyed shooting hoops with family, usually beating everyone at games of pig or horse. Photography, kayaking, boating, travel and enjoying sunsets on Lake Erie were very special to her. She was also a member of the Dunkirk Yacht Club.

Carol’s grandchildren and great grandchildren brought much sunshine to her life and her love for them will endure, as will the old world Polish recipes she passed down to her children.

Carolyn was in love with life and her family and friends. The epitome of grace and kindness, Carol was a genuine, caring and loving person.

Survivors include her husband, David A. Kowalewski Sr., whom she married May 4, 1963; four children, David A. (Mary Anne) Kowalewski Jr., Mary Catherine (Michael) Rutski, Christopher (Tamara Racino) Kowalewski, and Jeffrey (Julie) Kowalewski; 11 grandchildren, Samantha (fiance Rafael Santiago), Jacob, Alexandra, Zachary, Leslie Oliver, Joshua Rutski, Caitlyn Rutski, Cailin, Christopher Jr., Devin (fiance John Liddick), and Kevin; two great grandchildren, Ellis and Evelyn, and two more on the way; two brothers, Walter (late Di-anne) Zylka Sr. and Richard (Ann Maguire) Zylka; and her nephew, Scott Zylka.

Besides her parents, she was preceded in death by her niece, Sarah (Zylka) Johnstone.

Following the guidelines and protocols administered by the governor of New York, family and friends may call from 4-7 p.m., Friday, Feb. 12, at the McGraw-Kowal Funeral Home. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Saturday, Feb. 13, at 11 a.m. in St. Dominic Roman Catholic Church, 12 Central Ave., Brocton, NY. Flowers gratefully declined; memorials may be made to Literacy Volunteers of Chautauqua County.