Obituary for Eleanor T. Kubiniec (Kozacki)
Kubiniec, Eleanor T. (nee Kozacki) of Buffalo, NY, February 23, 2024, at age 90. Beloved wife of the late Hon. Julian F. Kubiniec; loving mother of Patricia Hall, Michael (Michele), Joseph (Linda) and Thomas (Gail) Kubiniec; devoted grandmother of Nicole, Ashley, Courtney, Elizabeth and Alex; dear sister of the late Marjorie Swift, late Josephine (late Henry) Konarzewski and the late Jerry (Rosemary) Kozacki; sister-in-law of Richard (Joan) Kubiniec and the late Theresa (William) Dixon; also survived by nieces and nephews. Visitation at the KOLANO FUNERAL HOME 396 Amherst St. (near Grant) Thursday 4-8PM. A Mass of Christian Burial will take place at Assumption Church, 435 Amherst St., Friday at 9:30AM. Please assemble at Church. Interment Mt. Olivet Cemetery. Eleanor was a graduate of Riverside H.S., Canisius College and University at Buffalo Law School. Her hobbies included gardening, reading and sewing. If desired, donations in Eleanor's memory may be made to Assumption Church Preservation Fund. Please share your online condolences @ www.KolanoFuneralHome.com
Eleanor was born on November 25, 1933 to Joseph and Stella Kozacki. The eldest of four children, born and raised in the Black Rock Community of Buffalo, she attended and graduated from Assumption Parish Grammar School. Eleanor kept in contact with several of her classmates and met regularly for dinners over the years. Following graduation from Riverside High School, she worked as a secretary in a law firm. Eleanor then pursued a college degree at Buffalo Teachers College. It was at this time she was introduced to Jullian F. Kubiniec, her future husband.
Eleanor and Julian married in 1958 and moved into his family home on Amherst Street in Black Rock near Assumption Church. She assisted her in-laws in the family-owned card shop in the front of the property. Eleanor had four children and dedicated herself to her family. Eleanor enjoyed sewing with her 1950's Singer sewing machine and made many outfits for herself, husband and children. That machine is still in the family and is used by her daughter-in-law, Gail. She also loved gardening and kept beautiful annual and perennial flower beds.
In 1977 Eleanor embarked on a new path. She enrolled in Canisius College and attended alongside her daughter Patricia throughout all 4 years. They enjoyed taking classes together and their lively topical debates were enjoyed by her fellow classmates. She graduated in 1981 Suma Cum Laude with a BA in History. In 1982, she was accepted into the University at Buffalo Law School. At the age of 49, Eleanor rose to the challenge of attending classes with students half her age. Upon graduation in 1985, Eleanor took a position in the Erie County District Attorney’s Office, assigned to the Appeals Bureau. In 10 years, Eleanor went from a stay at home wife and mother to handling criminal appeals arguing before the NYS Court of Appeals. Eleanor also earned the distinction of being certified to appear before the United States Supreme Court and was sworn in by the Honorable Ruth Bader Ginsburg.
Upon retirement, Eleanor traveled extensively across the United States through the Elder Hostel program. She became a Road Scholar at the Chautauqua Institute from 2009-2013. She enjoyed attending lectures on U.S. foreign policy. She was involved in presentations and panel discussions with U.S. ambassadors, foreign service officers and authors including William DePree, Ambassador to the United Arab Emirates and Ambassador Laura E. Kennedy. For more than 40 years, Eleanor enjoyed walking 4 miles daily around Delaware Park, even into her 80s.
Eleanor was the loving sister to her deceased siblings, Marjorie Swift, Josephine (Henry) Konarzewski and Jerome (Rosemary) Kozacki. Her late husband, the Hon. Julian F. Kubiniec, predeceased her in 1998. Eleanor was the sister-in-law to Richard (Joan) Kubiniec and the late Theresa (William) Dixon. She is survived by her four children Patricia Hall, Michael (Michele), Joseph (Linda) and Thomas (Gail), and her grandchildren Nicole, Courtney, Ashley, Elizabeth and Alex, as well as numerous nieces and nephews.
Eleanor was born on November 25, 1933 to Joseph and Stella Kozacki. The eldest of four children, born and raised in the Black Rock Community of Buffalo, she attended and graduated from Assumption Parish Grammar School. Eleanor kept in contact with several of her classmates and met regularly for dinners over the years. Following graduation from Riverside High School, she worked as a secretary in a law firm. Eleanor then pursued a college degree at Buffalo Teachers College. It was at this time she was introduced to Jullian F. Kubiniec, her future husband.
Eleanor and Julian married in 1958 and moved into his family home on Amherst Street in Black Rock near Assumption Church. She assisted her in-laws in the family-owned card shop in the front of the property. Eleanor had four children and dedicated herself to her family. Eleanor enjoyed sewing with her 1950's Singer sewing machine and made many outfits for herself, husband and children. That machine is still in the family and is used by her daughter-in-law, Gail. She also loved gardening and kept beautiful annual and perennial flower beds.
In 1977 Eleanor embarked on a new path. She enrolled in Canisius College and attended alongside her daughter Patricia throughout all 4 years. They enjoyed taking classes together and their lively topical debates were enjoyed by her fellow classmates. She graduated in 1981 Suma Cum Laude with a BA in History. In 1982, she was accepted into the University at Buffalo Law School. At the age of 49, Eleanor rose to the challenge of attending classes with students half her age. Upon graduation in 1985, Eleanor took a position in the Erie County District Attorney’s Office, assigned to the Appeals Bureau. In 10 years, Eleanor went from a stay at home wife and mother to handling criminal appeals arguing before the NYS Court of Appeals. Eleanor also earned the distinction of being certified to appear before the United States Supreme Court and was sworn in by the Honorable Ruth Bader Ginsburg.
Upon retirement, Eleanor traveled extensively across the United States through the Elder Hostel program. She became a Road Scholar at the Chautauqua Institute from 2009-2013. She enjoyed attending lectures on U.S. foreign policy. She was involved in presentations and panel discussions with U.S. ambassadors, foreign service officers and authors including William DePree, Ambassador to the United Arab Emirates and Ambassador Laura E. Kennedy. For more than 40 years, Eleanor enjoyed walking 4 miles daily around Delaware Park, even into her 80s.
Eleanor was the loving sister to her deceased siblings, Marjorie Swift, Josephine (Henry) Konarzewski and Jerome (Rosemary) Kozacki. Her late husband, the Hon. Julian F. Kubiniec, predeceased her in 1998. Eleanor was the sister-in-law to Richard (Joan) Kubiniec and the late Theresa (William) Dixon. She is survived by her four children Patricia Hall, Michael (Michele), Joseph (Linda) and Thomas (Gail), and her grandchildren Nicole, Courtney, Ashley, Elizabeth and Alex, as well as numerous nieces and nephews.