Antoinette C. Kotarski

1933 - 2022

Antoinette C. Kotarski, of Edwardsville, died peacefully at her home Tuesday, Aug. 16, 2022, at the age of 89.

She was born Jan. 29, 1933, in Ashley, the daughter of the late Bernard and Catherine Makowski, of "Carey's Patch," and the loving sister of Dorothy Davis, Lillian Evans, Eva Merrick, Bernard Jr., Paul and Donald Makowski, all of whom preceded her in death.

Antoinette led a long, happy life based on a simple maxim inscribed in her Ashley High School yearbook: "If you don't have anything nice to say, don't say anything at all."

She was married to Thaddeus (Ted) Kotarski Sr. for 46 years before his passing in 2001 and was the proud and devoted mother of six cherished sons, James (Cathy; Catrina, Caitlin), Swoyersville; Ted Jr. ("Max") (Helene), Pittsburgh; David (Robin), Courtdale; Michael (Cathy), Edwardsville; Bernard, Edwardsville; and Timothy, Edwardsville. She was blessed with five grandchildren, Justin, Courtney, Mitchell, Sasha and Thaddeus III; and three great-grandchildren, Hunter, Gavin and Ryan. She also enjoyed her many nieces and nephews.

Antoinette loved gardening and tended her flowers to perfection. She enjoyed cooking - usually massive quantities at her "restaurant" for her growing boys - but excelled at baking, keeping goodies ever-present on the table. She relished escaping from her daily routines through a night out to a good bingo game anywhere in the Valley. She knew them all and had her favorites. Her sons always got her there to get her preferred seat with time to spare. Win or lose, her game recaps were always colorful and entertaining.

We are forever grateful for her soft-handed influence and guidance, teaching us early on the benefits of independence and self-sufficiency. To reflect her quiet and gentle spirit, our gardens will be well-cared for, and her recipes will live on. Thanks, Mom!

Respecting Antoinette's wishes, her memorial will be private. Friends of the family may attend the funeral Mass at 10:15 a.m. Saturday in St. Ignatius Church, Kingston, with interment to follow in St. Mary's Cemetery, North Street, Courtdale.

Antoinette's family requests that, in place of flowers, donations be made in her name to the Medical Prescription Fund at Medical Oncology Associates, 382 Pierce St., Kingston, PA 18704.