Jarmila (Srpova) Kos

Jarmila was a strong-willed and determined Czech woman who came to this country as a "war bride" after WWII. She fell in love in 1945 when she was 19 years old when an American G.I. swept her off her feet, and began a 3-month romance shortly after the war ended. They married on September 22, 1945, at St. Bartholomew Church in Plzen, Czechoslovakia, and then honeymooned in Paris, France. She then sailed to America on the ship M.V. Volcania, which brought her to New York City, and then eventually settled at her new home in Lorain, Ohio, where her newlywed husband was from. The newlyweds proceeded to start a family consisting of 7 children and enjoyed a marriage that lasted over 50 years!

She loved education and firmly instilled these values and worth in all of her children. Since she had always wanted to be a teacher as a young girl, Jarmila decided to follow her dream and started college as a non- traditional student commuting to Kent State University and earned her teaching degree at age 40. She was on campus during the May 4, 1970, shootings with the National Guard. She taught 1st grade for the Clearview School District at Durling and Vincent Elementary schools in Lorain, and also became their primary reading specialist after she earned her Master's degree at Kent State in Early Childhood Education. She absolutely "loved" her profession and told her children repeatedly she had the "best" job in the world. She was dedicated to her career and finally retired from teaching at the ripe age of 82.

Being a Czechoslovakian native, she returned to visit her homeland 33 times throughout her life during her Summer vacations, and each trip she would take her mother (Bubi) and also one of her children to meet their Czech relatives and be introduced to the food, scenery, and culture of their bloodline. As an only child, Jarmila had tragically lost her father to a fatal stroke when she was only 3 months old, which then she became extremely close to her aunts, uncles, and cousins.

Jarmila was also an avid NBA basketball fan and loved watching Cleveland Cavaliers games well into her late nineties. She enjoyed watching each game in front of her big screen TV and never lost her zeal for cheering on what she referred to as "her boys!" She also enjoyed crocheting and made lovely, colorful afghans for her children and grandchildren, and also donated many to her church for fundraisers. Jarmila also enjoyed riding her 3 wheeled bike for exercise around her neighborhood for many years after her retirement. Everyone also loved eating her "DEL- icious" homemade apple strudel, which she always made for the holidays and family parties!

God had finally called her to her heavenly home on April 20, 2024 after 98 years of giving us all her love, kindness, and unselfish support. We all miss her dearly, however are so thankful she had such a long and Blessed life, gave us our Czech heritage, and was able to enjoy her life relatively healthy without any major ailments until her very final days.

She was preceded in her passing by her loving mother, Mary Srpova, who came to live with her in America in 1948, and her devoted & loving husband, Edward. She is survived by her 7 children, Donna Kos (Akron, OH), Marcia Menard (Houston, TX), Gregory Kos (Land O'Lakes, FL), Audrey Ricciardi (Olmsted Falls, OH), Terry Kos (Savannah, GA), Carrie Kos (Westlake, OH) and Ellen Burch (Houston, TX) and also 9 grandchildren and 9 great grandchildren.

Memorial contributions are suggested to be made to the Bohemian National Hall and Czech Cultural Center & Museum, Cleveland, Ohio.