Obituary of Emily Teresa Kotowicz

Emily Teresa Kotowicz (Gudinas) of Pittsford and East Rochester passed away peacefully on February 20th 2016, just eight weeks short of her 100th birthday. She is predeceased by her husband, Thomas S. Kotowicz; son, Thomas V. "Tim" Kotowicz; grandson, Michael Kotowicz and brother Frank Gudinas of Florida. Emily is survived by her daughter, Nancy J. Williams (Carl Sardegna); sons, David (Evelyn) and Lawrence (Marguerite L. Harris); daughter-in-law, Shirley Kotowicz; sister, Hilda Gudinas Bauer Bitts of California and brother, George Gudinas of Branchport NY. Emily is also survived by her grandchildren, Cynthia (Rick) Carrell, Cathy (Scott) Steesy, Richard Kotowicz and Christopher Williams; seven great grandchildren; one great-great grandchild and one great-great-great grandchild and several nieces and nephews. She is also survived by her cherished exchange student "son and daughter", Anne Holme Skancke of Oslo, Norway and Pablo Vailati of Buenos Aires, Argentina. Emily grew up and attended high school in Webster, NY and shortly after graduation, married Thomas in the new St. George's Lithuanian Church on Rochester. They settled in East Rochester where, while raising four children, she managed to also have a busy professional, political and social life. She was a full time partner in the growing family excavating business and even took time out to run for elected office. After Tom's death in 1987, she moved to Pittsford and continued to remain active playing tennis, bridge, bowling and caring for her beloved garden...and still found time to volunteer as a tax preparer for senior citizens throughout the area. One of her great joys was finally 'going to college' in her late 70's when she successfully completed finance courses at St. John Fisher College. Although deeply affected by macular degeneration, she managed to remain fully engaged in her active life and spent countless happy years surrounded by her family. Calling hours for Emily will be Friday, February 26th from 4:00pm to 7:30 pm at Harloff Funeral Home. Emily's Funeral Mass will celebrated Saturday, February 27th, 9:30am at St. Jerome's Church. Entombment will follow at White Haven Memorial Park, Pittsford. In lieu of flowers, kindly consider a donation to St. Jerome's Church or the Macular Degeneration research at BrightFocus Foundation.