Jacqualine Koch Czelusta

1943 - 2021

Jacqualine Koch Czelusta, age 77 after a lengthy illness passed away peacefully at home on Tuesday, April 20, 2021. She was surrounded by her loving and caring husband of 57 years, Chris Czelusta and their children. Jackie was born on October 15, 1943 and raised in Saint Mary's, Pennsylvania.
On November 16, 1963, in the Queen of the World RC Church, she married Joseph "Chris" Czelusta. Jackie was a devoted mother of three children, Richard (Susan) of Middleport, NY, Julie (Bill) of Newfane, NY and Randy (Lia) of Newfane, NY and "Irish adopted by heart", daughter Geraldine (Andy) of Belfast, Ireland. Jackie loved being a "Mimi" to her four grandchildren, Alexander, Megan, Patrick and Brooklynn. She deeply loved her great grandson, Dustin.
Jackie was preceded in death as an infant by her father, SSGT Quentin (Jack) Lecker, who was killed in action over the English Channel in WWII. She was also preceded in death by her loving parents, James and Edna Koch, her loving brother, Joseph Koch; best friend and sister, Margaret (Leander) Meyer. She is lovingly survived by a sister-in-law, Carleen Koch, and two brothers Donald (Karen) Antonio of Erie, PA and James (Debra) Antonio of Weedville, PA along with many cousins and close friends. Especially close to her was her childhood friend, Nancy Wykoff and her friend, Susan Chutko.
While growing up, she spent many hours working in the family-owned business, The Central Restaurant located in St. Mary's, PA. Following graduation from Saint Mary's Central Catholic High School in 1962, she attended Robert's Beauty school in the city of Buffalo, NY when she unexpectedly met her lifelong sweetheart, Chris.
She and her husband, Chris own and operate a purebred beef farm located in Appleton, NY where they were the first farm in the WNY area to raise, breed and show the registered Charolais breed of cattle in National 4H and Open Class livestock shows. Jackie helped to manage the farm but most importantly, Jackie loved to volunteer and be with people in the community.
Jackie, Chris and their family were recognized as the Niagara County 4-H Family of the Year in 1981. Jackie was recognized for her 35 years of service with the Cornell Cooperative Extension, Niagara County in 2008 with the Sapphire Clover Award. She and her husband were club leaders of the Hartland Hot Shots 4H club and are also two of the original organizers of the Niagara County 4H Meat Auction assisting with the auction of steers, lambs and pigs to benefit county youth agricultural education.
As a Niagara County Hospice volunteer for 26 years, Jackie provided many vigils with families for the passing of their loved ones. She would volunteer hours and provide comfort by reading books to patients, listening to music or just being there to those who were ill.
Jackie loved to be around people. For many years, she drove school bus for Ridge Road Express and provided smiles and love from the heart to youngsters in the Barker Central district with safety of daily transportation. Jackie was an avid card player and loved the game of Euchre with her wonderful friends, the Chutko's of Barker.
Please join her family celebrating her life by attending visiting hours on Friday, May 7, 2021 between 4 and 8 p.m. at Rutland-Corwin Funeral Home, Inc. 2670 Main St, Newfane, NY 14108. A Christian mass will be held in her honor at Our Lady of the Lake R.C. Church, 1726 Quaker Rd, Barker, NY 14012 on Saturday, May 8, 2021 at 11a.m. Interment will be in Wrights Corners Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, Mass celebrated in her name at Our Lady of the Lake R.C. Church would be appreciated or memorials, if desired, may be made in her honor to Niagara County Hospice 4675 Sunset Dr. Lockport, NY 14108. Please visit www.rutland-corwin.com to send the family a condolence.