Mary Lou Kosty

CORNING — Mary Lou Kosty age 68 of Sharwill Place died Sunday, December 24 at home. She was born December 23, 1938 in Gibson, the daughter of Floyd and Thelma Wittmann Manwarren.

She was the manager of the Corning Leader classifieds for 27 years and then the Director of Advertising. She went on to be employed by Watson Homestead as the Promotional and Marketing Director. Mary was a charter member of Faith Lutheran Church, a Sunday School instructor and President of Faith and Zone President of the Lutheran Women’s Ministry League. She was a member and two time President of the Painted Post Lions Club, a member of the Corning Rotary Club where she was the recipient of a Paul Harris Award for community involvement. Mary was a volunteer for the Red Cross, a visitor and driver at Founders Pavilion and a receptionist at Corning Hospital. She served on Board of Directors for the Office for the Aging, Meals On Wheels, fundraiser for the Benjamin Patterson Inn, the Republican Committee, a member of John P. Eaton American Legion Auxiliary and served as the membership chairman for the Corning Chamber of Commerce for many years. She was also just selected to receive the 2007 Distinguished Citizen Award from the Painted Post Area Board of Trade. To be recognized at the annual dinner held at the Painted Post Holiday Inn January 27.

Mary is survived by her husband, Phillip J. Kosty; a son, James P. Kosty of Painted Post; three sisters and son-inlaw, Ellen O’Bryan of Ithaca, Shirley Olinger of Rolling Prairie, Indiana, Virginia and Kenneth Mapes of Little River, South Carolina; a grandson, John P. Kosty of Painted Post; twelve nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her parents, a brother, David anwarren, brothers-in-law, William O’Bryan and Wellington Olinger.

Family and friends called at Carpenter’s Funeral Home on Thursday, December 28 from 2-4 p.m. and 7-9 p.m. A private funeral service was held at her church with her pastor the Rev. Gerhard Grabenhofer officiating.

Burial was held in Chapel Knoll Cemetery, Coopers Plains. A Celebration of Life Service will be held Tuesday, January 2 at Watson Homestead at 11 a.m. Those wishing may make memorial donations in Mary’s name to Faith Lutheran Church 71 W. 1st Street Corning, NY 14830.