Mercedes E. Kozak, 60

MILLSBORO - Mercedes E. Kozak, of Millsboro, passed away on March 3, 2009, at the Milford Hospice Center from Ovarian Cancer. She was 60. Mercedes "Teet" was born in Altoona, Pa., on Nov. 21, 1948, to Jon and Dorothea (Reifsteck) Vallade. She was one of seven children. Sept. 20, 1969, she married Gary R. Kozak also of Altoona and began to raise a family. A hard worker, she spent many years in retail and women's clothing working as such stores, as Hess's and Kauffmans, including a stint as a buyer for Monarchs in Altoona. More recently, she was a member of the Walmart family, where she still has many friends and sisters in spirit, who have been a great source of comfort and friendship through her journey with Ovarian Cancer. In 2001 Teet and Gary moved away from harsh winters of Altoona to Long Neck in Millsboro where they had a summer home for years. Teet loved the sand, the bay and took great pleasure in fishing, Jimmy Buffet and margaritas with friends, and playing with her grandsons at the beach. Mercedes is survived by her spouse of nearly 40 years, Gary and her only child Barbara Kozak-Sellers (married to Kyle Sellers) of Lancaster, Pa. The lights of her life were her two grandsons Sean Gregory and Ethan Cole. Although both parents preceded her in death, she is survived by all of her siblings Sr. Jon Francis, Frank, Paul, James, Frederick and Marian (Heckman), and a bevy of loved nephews, nieces and great nephews and nieces. A memorial service will be held to honor her at 4 p.m. March 12. The service will be held at the Grace United Methodist Church, Millsboro. Although Mercedes loved flowers, she preferred that memorial contributions be sent in her name to Delaware Hospice, 100 Patriots Way, Milford, DE 19947. Without Delaware Hospice, Mercedes' last days would not have been the gift that they were.