Valentina Kozlowski

Valentina E. Kozlowski went to sing with the Choir of Angels while surrounded by her loving family on Thursday, October 17, 2024. She was predeceased by her husband, Dr. Edward D. Kozlowski; son, Mark; stillborn infant son, Paul; and first husband, Lt. George Reeden; her parents, Helen & Stefan Swierczynski; sisters and brothers-in-law, Helen and Izadore Cecula; Marie and Stanley Sarzyniak; Leona and Chester Mis; Renetta and Dr. Anthony Pane; nephews, James Moore; Stanley Sarzyniak, Jr.; Ronald Mis; and brother-in-law, Walter Green; her mother and father-in-law, Mary and Frank Kozlowski; sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law, Victoria and Constantine Kozlowski; Sophie and Steve Barno; Pearl and Joseph Zvolensky; and Jane and Steve Behil. She is survived by her children, Kathleen (James) Snyder, Matthew (Judith) Kozlowski, Karan Kozlow, Kristen (Scott) Pier; her sister, Alexandra Green; grandchildren, James (Megan) Snyder, Jamie Snyder (Craig Summerville), Erin Snyder, Dr. Steven Kozlowski, Dr. Lauren (Chris) Janczewski, Adam Gordon, Danielle Pier; and several great grandchildren – Leonardo and Jenna, Lynn and Alexander, Ella and Kallie, Reagan, Gemma and Graham. Many loving friends, cousins, nieces, and nephews - with special thanks to nephew, Dr. Anthony Pane, Jr., whose inspiration and dedication made the Valentina and Polish CD albums possible. She was a gracious, kind, and loving wife, mother, nana, sister, and friend that was always there for anyone in need.
She attended the University of Buffalo and the Academy of Vocal Arts in Philadelphia were she received operatic and vocal training as a lyric soprano. She won the “Voices of Tomorrow” competition in Buffalo, where she was a member of the Buffalo Opera Workshop and the Kenmore Choral Society, appearing in many musicals. She made numerous appearances as a soloist with the Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra, as well as with the Buffalo Civic Orchestra, the Binghamton Symphony, the Binghamton Choral Society, Binghamton Chamber Opera Company, and many other operatic and orchestral ensembles in the Northeast. Her performances have been broadcast on radio and television, including an NBC program “The Passover”, the CBS This Morning program singing the theme song “Oh What a Beautiful Morning”, and an NBC Philadelphia televised performance as Monica in Menotti’s opera, “The Medium”.
Valentina studied Polish folk dancing in Opole, Poland, and in 1976 founded the Kopernik Polish Folk Dancers, serving as its choreographer and director. In 1979, she represented the United States in a “Festival of Songs” concert tour of seven cities in Poland sponsored by Poland’s Ministry of Culture. She was awarded the “Merit of Culture” medal at the Polish Consulate in New York City for the propagation of Polish songs, dance, and culture in American society. She is well known for musical performances at a multitude of local concerts and recitals. She is also well known for her service as a President of the Kopernik Society of Broome County, which operates the Kopernik Observatory & Science Center founded by her late husband, Dr. Edward D. Kozlowski. She was a choir member at Church of the Holy Family, Downtown Singers, the former St. Stanislaus Kostka Church, Lourdes DePaul Choir, Saints John and Andrew Church, the Kopernik Polish Folk Dance Ensemble, and with the Lyric Performers of the Endicott Performing Arts Council. Over 40,000 people were in attendance for her rendition of the U.S. National Anthem at the 1984 rally for President Ronald Reagan at Ty Cobb Stadium in Endicott, New York. She continued her vocal studies with Angus Godwin, retired Professor of Voice at the Ithaca College School of Music for many years. She was also a member of the B.C. Arts Council, the Harmony Club, American Civic Association, Literacy Volunteers, and Roberson Museum.
A Funeral Mass will be celebrated 10 am, Tuesday, October 22 at Church of the Holy Family, 3600 Phyllis Street, Endwell. Burial will be in St. Stanislaw Kostka Cemetery, Binghamton. The family will receive friends at the Allen Memorial Home, 511-513 East Main Street, Endicott, Monday, October 21 from 4-7 pm.
Expressions of sympathy in her memory can be made to Mercy House of the Southern Tier and Literacy Volunteers of Broome-Tioga Counties.