Obituary of Barbara Kosztowny

July 4, 1935 - February 8, 2026

Barbara  Kosztowny.  Age 90 of Brownstown.

Beloved wife of the late John Kosztowny.  Loving mother of Ann Marie (Paul) Gregor, Brian (Kathleen) Kosztowny and John (Angela) Kosztowny.  Dear sister of Joan Nowak.  Also survived by 9 grandchildren and 10 great grandchildren.

Memorial contributions are appreciated to Tidewell Hospice of Florida.

Family Tribute ~

Barbara Kosztowny grew up in a loving family as the daughter of Walter and Mary Fryzel. She shared her childhood with her younger sister, Joan, who was two years her junior. Some of her fondest early memories were the many weekend trips her family took to Pinconning, creating traditions and stories that would stay with her throughout her life.

Barbara graduated from St. Andrew’s High School in Detroit and soon after began working at Ford Motor Company in Highland Park. On June 18, 1955, she married her high school sweetheart, John Kosztowny. Together they built a life rooted in love and commitment, purchasing their first home in Dearborn. When Barbara became pregnant with their first child, Ann Marie, she was pushed out of her position at Ford, a common hardship for women of that era. Undeterred, she devoted herself to raising their three children—Ann Marie, Brian, and John—while later working at Kelly Services for over 30 years as a data entry operator.

Barbara and John shared a deep love of travel and adventure, spending summers exploring together. They traveled all across the United States and eventually expanded their journeys around the world. In later years, they especially enjoyed taking cruises, continuing to create memories wherever they went. Barbara also loved visiting casinos and she cherished her time at their Polynesian village winter vacation home in Florida. Barbara retired in 1997, closing a chapter marked by dedication to both family and work.

Above all, Barbara treasured her family. She was a proud grandmother and great-grandmother, and nothing brought her more joy than watching her family grow through the generations. She will always be remembered for her dependability and punctuality—she was always early, never late—a small but meaningful reflection of the care, respect, and responsibility she showed throughout her life.