Irene Kostrna peacefully entered into eternal rest at home on August 30, 2023, in the presence of her loving children, Michael and Cindy, surrounded by many beautiful memories of a generous life well lived in the home she shared for the past thirty years with her cherished husband, Mike, who predeceased her on April 25, 2022.

Irene was born on September 7, 1930, in Northampton, Pennsylvania to John and Rose (Wolfer) Timar. When she was a young child, Irene's parents relocated to Hungary due to the impact the Great Depression was having on their lives. Upon their return to the United States, the Timar family relocated to 405 East 70th Street in the Hungarian section of the Upper Eastside of Manhattan. Irene and her sisters, Rose and Mitzi, lived in a home filled with love, and it was in that love-filled home that they thrived as children and grew into fun loving teenagers who became hard working adults. It was also on the Upper Eastside of Manhattan that she met a young Slovak boy who would become the love of her life, Milan (Mike) Kostrna.

Irene graduated from St. Catherine of Siena grammar school (1944), St. Jean Baptiste High School (1948) and from Hunter College with a Bachelors of Arts degree (1952). She also did Masters level work at Lehman College and Fordham University to enrich her teaching career. In 1973, Irene was named as one of the Outstanding Elementary School Teachers of America. This award was given in recognition of the social and intellectual development of the children who were her students, and in recognition of her service to the community and to her profession. Irene loved being a teacher. She began her teaching career in North Plainfield, New Jersey before becoming a New York City school teacher at PS 107 in the South Bronx from where she eventually retired.

Irene and Mike, that young Slovak boy from her neighborhood, wed on July 2, 1955, at St. Catherine of Siena Church in New York City after Mike's return from serving with the United States Army during the Korean War. They created a loving home in a tiny apartment in North Plainfield, New Jersey and eventually moved to a four-family house on Chatterton Avenue in the Bronx where they lived in one apartment with their children, Michael and Cindy, and where Irene's parents and sisters and their families lived in the remaining three apartments. Irene and Mike created many warm memories on Chatterton Avenue with cherished family, friends and neighbors. Irene and Mike purchased a house in Tappan, New York in 1978, and eventually retired moving to Fishkill, New York. Wherever they lived and worked, Irene and Mike became beloved neighbors and friends.

Irene and Mike created a loving and supportive home for their children, lavished them with love, and made sure they had what they needed both as children and as adults. The name "Irene" means "peace" and Irene was known as the peacekeeper of the family. She wanted everyone to not only get along but to love each other. It is her love that held her family together and united them.

Irene never passed up an opportunity to visit a casino, and she and Mike enjoyed the many trips they made to Atlantic City with her sister, Mitzi, and brother-in-law, Jimmy. They had as much fun on the drives down to Atlantic City as they did in the casinos. In her younger days, Irene enjoyed traveling to places near and far and dancing the polka with Mike. She also enjoyed a good book, a good word jumble, a good cup of coffee, a good bowl of ice cream, and the company of family, friends and neighbors. Irene was a devout Catholic with a special devotion to Our Blessed Mother and St. Jude. She prayed the Rosary every evening and always called on St. Jude during particularly challenging times in her life.

Our dear mother, Irene, is survived by her son Michael and her daughter Cindy, her sister Mary (Mitzi) Sessa, her cherished grandchildren Michael and Gabriel, and many nieces, nephews, grandnieces and grandnephews in the United States, Hungary, and Slovakia. Irene was much loved and very cherished, most especially by her late husband, Mike, and by her son and daughter. She will be greatly missed. May she rest in the eternal peace of Christ.

Irene's family would like to extend their gratitude to her care team from Hudson Valley Hospice for their compassion and for the quality of care they provided her during her final months.

Visiting hours are 4:00pm to 8:00pm on Tuesday September 5, 2023, at the McHoul Funeral Home of Fishkill, Inc., 1089 Main Street, Fishkill, New York. The funeral Mass will be celebrated on Wednesday, September 6, 2023, by Fr. Walter Genito at St. Columba Church, 835 NY-82, Hopewell Jct., New York. Burial will immediately follow at St. Denis Cemetery, 604 Beekman Road, Hopewell Jct., New York.

Please visit Irene's Book of Memories to leave a condolence or watch the livestream of her Mass of Christian Burial at mchoulfuneralhome.com.