Evelyn K. Kuzdale

Mrs. Kuzdale was born in Dunkirk on April 23, 1925, the third eldest of the twelve children of the late Michael and Mary (Moraniec) Guziec. She grew up in Dunkirk and Silver Creek, attended Silver Creek High School and graduated from Dunkirk Business School. Like many of her generation who came of age during the Depression and World War Ill., she took on family and work responsibilities at a young age. During the war and until 1957 she was a secretary at Allegheny Ludlum Steel Plant in Dunkirk a vital defense contractor at that time. With her mother’s death in 1945 she also helped raise her younger siblings.

In 1956, Evelyn married attorney Edwin J. Kuzdale at St. Mary’s Church in Dunkirk. During their 53 years of marriage she supported him as he served as Dunkirk’s City Attorney and later as the Chautauqua County Attorney. Until his death in 2009, they shared interests in nature, camping, art, boating, travel, and various winter sports. Their “January Thaw” picnics at Allegheny State Park remained a happy memory.

After raising a family, Mrs. Kuzdale began taking classes at SUNY Fredonia and in 1990 completed her lifelong dream when she received her B.A. from Fredonia State University in Art History and English. She later worked as a secretary in her husband’s office.

After she retired, she enjoyed spending time visiting her children and her grandchildren. She was an avid painter, and gardener. Like her sisters, she was an excellent seamstress and cook.

Mrs. Kuzdale was a member of St. Hyacinth’s church and was active in its Mother’s Club serving for a time as its president and was a member of its Rosary Society. She volunteered at the Addams Art Gallery, and especially enjoyed her time working for Meals on Wheels.

She is survived by her children, Ann Kuzdale of Chicago, John Kuzdale (Laura) of Dunkirk, Kathryn McGraw (Michael) of Marco Island, Fla., and James Kuzdale of Miami Beach, Fla.; four grandchildren, Michael McGraw, Zachary McGraw, Claire Kuzdale, and Ava Kuzdale; sisters, Virginia Sobecki, Micheline Kuziora, and Marie Elliott; and brothers, David Guziec and Michael Guziec; as well as many nieces and nephews.

In addition to her parents, Mrs. Kuzdale was preceded in death by her husband, Edwin Kuzdale; and siblings, Lorraine Guziec, Esther Guziec, Frances Carrus, Geraldine Wolmering, Jerome “Harry” Guziec, and Joseph Guziec.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at Blessed Mary Angela Parish, Church of St. Hyacinth, Lake Shore Drive East and Pangolin St. in Dunkirk on Tuesday, October 20 at 11 a.m to which the public is welcome. Due to Covid-19, the wake will be private.

The family requests that in lieu of flowers, that memorial donations be made to Meals on Wheels, Northern Chautauqua Catholic Schools (NCCS), and Allegheny State Park or your favorite charity. To post condolences or memories go to http://mcgrawkowal.com. Arrangements are by the McGraw-Kowal Funeral Home.