Mary H. Kossina, 73, passed away on January 18, 2024 at BJH in St Louis, Missouri. She was born to Ruppert Earl and Lillian (Lunnemann) Blair on October 7, 1950 in East St. Louis, Illinois.

Those left to cherish Mary's memory are her husband James Kossina, son Bob (Stephanie) Kossina, daughter Angela Kossina, grandchildren Faith, Kaden, Karigan, Jyha, Jaxon, Brothers Roy Blair (Jean), Terry Blair (Barb), Jim Blair (Joyce), sisters Jeanne Dorsey, Lynn Muniz (David), sister in law Linda Blair, and many more family and friends. Mary was preceded in death by her parents, Rupert Earl and Lillian (Lunnemann) Blair, son Johnathan Kossina, brother Earl F. Blair, and In laws Ervin and Leona Kossina.

Mary was a 1968 graduate of Collinsville High School and received her degree in Education from SIU Edwardsville. She married James Kossina on July 12, 1974. She taught at Ss. Peter and Paul School, was a catechist for SSPP PSR program and after her retirement, she volunteered to prepare students for the Constitution test. All together she taught at SSPP for 50 years. There is a frame copy of the Constitution in the school with a plaque on it that states that she taught 50 years of "Faith and Freedom".
She received 9 Who's Who Among American Teachers Awards, the Albert Nelson Marquis Lifetime Achievement Award, and the IMSA Award of Excellence. She was leader of the Divine Mercy, established the Divine Mercy Cenacle at SSPP and was a member of the Social Justice Ministry (Right to Life).

Services will be held on Thursday, January 25, 2024 with visitation from 9:00 to 11:00 a.m. and funeral mass at 11:00 a.m. at Ss. Peter & Paul Catholic Church, 207 Vandalia St, Collinsville, Illinois. Mary will be greatly missed by all who had the pleasure of knowing her.