In Memoriam – Victoria Kozera
Hatfield, MA – Victoria Lynn Kozera, a loving beautiful woman, passed away after a sudden illness that occurred while on an adventure tour in the Galapagos Islands. She and her husband had many hiking and adventure tours in the US, and on multiple continents, and the Galapagos was on top of her bucket list.
Victoria was born and grew up in Syracuse, NY the only child of Margaret Kogut and George Kogut (predeceased). She attended and graduated from Sacred Heart High School where she continued to attend reunions. After high school she attended Unity College in Maine and graduated from the University of Maine with a degree in environmental sciences. Throughout high school and college she vacationed with her parents and family friends camping in the Adirondacks enjoying many a campfire stories. After college she continued to live and work in Maine where she loved spending time with nature. Then fate struck, while serving as the maid of honor for her future sister-in-law Jessica Magdzuik she met and then spent the rest of her life with the best man at that wedding Don Kozera residing in Hadley and Hatfield, MA. Victoria and Don had been married for 41 years and it was obvious to everyone the passion, love, and respect they held for each other. Victoria was born to be a mother and she gave birth to Jacob and Rachael. Motherhood made Victoria glow. She stayed home during the early years to love, teach, and play with her children. It was important to Victoria that she be home for her children after school , so she attended AIC and received her master’s degree in education. She found a passion teaching science and math in middle school first in Holyoke and then for most of her career in White Brook Middle School in Easthampton, MA.
Throughout their marriage Victoria and Don continued to adventure travel. Some highlights were backpacking in Iceland, biking through Ireland, exploring and hiking to base camp of Mt. Everest, African Safaris and climbing Mt. Kilimanjaro. Hiking the sacred trail to Machu Picchu was most memorable because the trip included family and her children. Weeks prior to Victoria’s retirement Rover, the name she gave to the camper van was purchased and multiple trips across the country and Canada were enjoyed. Victoria was an avid lover of nature and hiker particularly with her dog Charlie and anyone else who wanted to come along.
Victoria leaves behind her mother Margaret Kogut of Syracuse NY, her husband Don Kozera of Hatfield, MA, her son Jacob Kozera and his wife Rachel of Ayer, MA. Her daughter Rachael Coughlin and husband Roger of Framingham, MA. Victoria longed to be a Babcia and cherished every minute with her grandchildren Madeleine and Landon Coughlin. Sisters and brothers-in-laws David & Jessica Kozera of Maryland, Susan and Michael Behn of Virginia and Margaret and Paul Amble of North Carolina. Nieces and nephews; Matthew Kozera and his wife Kate, Claire Kozera, Cavin, Sara and Dylan Amble and Skyler Behn. Victoria also leaves numerous cousins and close friends and her sisterhood who she could always count on as they counted on her.
In lieu of flowers please donate to the Heifer International or the Northampton Survival Center where Victoria volunteered. Calling hours for Victoria is on Friday July 21st from 4-7 at Czelusniak Funeral Home in Northampton, Ma.
Published by Daily Hampshire Gazette on Jul. 18, 2023
https://www.legacy.com/us/obituaries/gazettenet/name/victoria-kozera-obituary?id=52474838