Florence Helen Patla Kotch

KINGSTON — On this date, July 19 2014, the angels carried our mother, Florence Helen Patla Kotch, to her final reward. God saw her getting tired and a cure was not to be. A golden heart stopped beating, hard working hands at rest. With tearful eyes we saw you pass away, but remembered that God only takes the best!

Florence was born July 16, 1927, in Kingston. She was a daughter of the late George and Helen Matuseck Patla. Florence graduated from Kingston High School, class of 1944. She was a former clerk for Rea-Derrick Pharmacy, Edwardsville, and also the Youth Center, Edwardsville. She worked for Barb Brussock for weddings, parties and the Lion's Club meetings.

She was a faithful member of St. John the Baptist Orthodox Church, Edwardsville. She was also secretary of the Mothers and Daughters Club of the church. She was assistant librarian of St. John's Bookstore. Florence was awarded the Archimandrite Anthony Repella Service Recognition Award for her dedicated service to the people and parish of St. John the Baptist.

She received numerous awards of appreciation by the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the U.S., and became a Gold Circle Member. She also received a certificate of "A Patriot of the Year" helping the hospitalized veterans. She was enrolled in the Patriot National Roll of Honor. She also was awarded the Vets I First: Helping our Heroes and Home Guard. Florence was awarded the Bronze Leader for the Disabled American Veterans. She also supported St. Joseph's Indian School having brought the Lakota children a happier childhood and a brighter future, as well as, the Father Flanagan's Boys' Home. She received a certificate from the Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center for her outstanding leadership, commitment and support in the battle against cancer. Florence also supported the U.S. Olympic Committee to Team U.S.A., and received a certificate of appreciation from the Easter Seals.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Michael Kotch, and by her brothers, Frank, Stanley, Theodore and Alfred.

Surviving are her daughters, Jean Heusel and her husband, John, Barnegat, New Jersey, and Rita Delaney and her companion, Joseph Fanti, Exeter; and the light of her life, her grandson, David Zionkowski, Dallas.

Funeral services will be held 9:30 a.m. Wednesday from the Edwards and Russin Funeral Home, 717 Main St., Edwardsville, with requiem services at 10 a.m. in St. John the Baptist Orthodox Church, 93 Zerby Ave., Edwardsville. The Rev. George Volkovinsky, rector, officiating. Interment will follow in the parish cemetery, Pringle. Family and friends may call from 5 to 8 p.m. Tuesday. Parastas service will be held at 7 p.m.

The family wishes to thank Father George Volkovinsky and the many friends, neighbors, and parishioners of St. John the Baptist Orthodox Church, for all their prayers, cards and visits. A special thank you to Celtic Hospice and Home Health for their loving support, superior care, comfort and concern for our mother's condition.

In lieu of flowers donations can be sent to her beloved church; or to Celtic Hospice, 601 Wyoming Ave., Kingston, PA 18704.