Jane Kolakowski

1930 - 2024

Kolakowski, Jane (Metzger)
BRANT LAKE - Jane Metzger Kolakowski, age 94, passed away after a long illness, on December 27, 2024.
Jane was born in Troy, N.Y., on January 10, 1930, the daughter of Joseph Metzger and Dorilda Senez Metzger. Jane was predeceased by her loving husband of 70 years, Edmund Kolakowski; and brothers, Raymond (Ann) Metzger and Joseph Metzger.
Jane attended graduated from St. Patrick's School in Watervliet, Catholic High in Troy, and the College of St. Rose.
While at St. Rose, Jane met Ed Kolakowski, a student at Siena and they were married on August 23, 1952, at St. Patrick's in Watervliet. They enjoyed over 70 years of a happy marriage, until Ed's passing in 2023.
After college, Jane started a teaching career in Jefferson, N.Y. In 1954, Ed and Jane moved to Suffern, where Jane continued teaching at Rockland Community College, as well as raising her four sons.
In 1970, Jane and Ed bought into Sunset Mt. Lodge, in Brant Lake, N.Y., and operated it in the summers for more than 50 years. A few years after Ed's retirement in 1984, Ed and Jane moved their full-time home to Brant Lake. Jane loved working hard running the business.
Jane and Ed were lifetime Catholics and were active in their parishes in Suffern, Brant Lake, and Venice, Fla.
Jane and Ed were fortunate in retirement to enjoy over 30 winters in Florida as snowbirds. They were also lucky enough to travel through all of Europe, most of South America, Australia, parts of Africa, Asia, Alaska, and most of the America.
Jane loved to work hard and enjoyed cooking for family and friends while entertaining in her home. She had a reputation as a savvy businesswoman and was conservative with a dollar. She had several long-term girlfriends from St. Rose, Suffern, and Brant Lake.
Jane is survived by her loving sons and their families, Giles of Venice, Fla., Kevin of Brant Lake, Gary (Diane) of Brant Lake, and Kyle of Denver, Colo. She is also survived by 13 grandchildren, four great-grandchildren, as well as many nieces and nephews.
There will be a Memorial Mass for Jane at the Siena College Chapel, on Rt. 9, in Loudonville, N.Y., on Saturday, May 10, at 9:30 a.m., with a Luncheon to follow at The Desmond.