Obituary of Elsie Lenore Kowalski

Elsie Lenore Kowalski, 101, passed away peacefully in her own home on January 4, 2022.

Born in April 1920 in Buffalo, NY, Elsie was the third child of the late Louis and Helen Freitag. The family moved to Syracuse in her childhood, where she graduated from North High School. She then went on to earn a degree from Powelson Business Institute. She made lifelong friends in school, including good friend, Margaret Kress, with whom she was a member of the club, “the Gallopin’ Gals”.

Elsie went to work as a receptionist at Syracuse Glass Company, then later worked at Carrier during WWII. She volunteered to be a USO girl during the war, where she met the love of her life, William Kowalski, at a dance. When the war ended, William returned to Syracuse and they married at St. John the Baptist Church in September 1946. They stayed happily married for 66 years, until his death in 2013. William and Elsie moved to the Valley area in 1956 where they raised their family, and made countless sacrifices for them.

Elsie loved walking and playing golf in her younger years. She enjoyed reading romance novels by Betty Neals; and followed sports by watching Yankees on the TV, and listening to SU basketball on the radio. She was a wonderful cook, and baker; and always made extra incase someone stopped by at dinner time. She was always there when you needed her. As she grew older and lost her sight and hearing, she managed to remain active into her late 90s- moving around the house with no problem at all! Even after being slowed by falls in her 100th year, Elsie remained a strong presence. She was a loyal communicant of Our Lady of Lourdes and Our Lady of Hope Churches.

Along with her husband, and parents, Elsie was predeceased by: brothers, John, Raymond, Norman, and Leonard Freitag; sister, Mildred Rydlewski; and niece, Jackie McCarthy. She is survived by: sons, William and James; two grandchildren; four great-grandchildren; nephew, Leonard Freitag; niece, Annette Janke; as well as countless cousins, friends, and neighbors who will miss her dearly.

An hour of calling will be held on Monday January 10 at 9 am at Our Lady of Hope Church, Syracuse. A Mass of Christian Burial will follow at 10am. Interment will follow at Onondaga Valley Cemetery. Friends may view Elsie’s services on the Facebook page of Our Lady of Hope, at that time.

Consider memorial contributions in Elsie’s name to: Our Lady of Hope Church at ourladyofhopesyr.org. To have a memorial tree planted in an area of need in honor of Elsie, or to send flowers for services, please use the Send Flowers link to the left. To light a memorial candle, or leave an online condolence for her family, please visit Elsie's Tribute Wall.