Mary Koss Obituary

Mary Frances Koss, 90, passed away at her home in Durango on Tuesday, October 31, 2023, surrounded by her family. Frances was born on March 25, 1933, to Jasper and Mary Perino at Oschner Hospital (now known as the Gable House) in Durango. She attended grades 1-8 at Sacred Heart School and grade 9 at Smiley Jr. High. She graduated from the old Durango High School in 1950, where she shared honors for "Miss Toltec" and female Valedictorian. After attending Fort Lewis College at the Hesperus campus, she worked for Vanadium Corp of America for two years. In June, 1952, she married Jules Koss; the marriage lasted 71 years. In 1953, they moved to Greeley, Colorado, where she put Jules through school at the Colorado State College of Education (now Northern Colorado University). After her son Frank was born in November, 1953, she returned to Durango and worked at Continental Oil Company. Her son Tom was born in April 1956 and her daughter Julie was born in August, 1967. She belonged to the Catholic Daughters of America for several years. In 1979, she began as bookkeeper for the law firm of Maynes, Bradford and Shipps, an association which she especially enjoyed. She was initiated into P.E.O. in 1986 and saw it as a God-given opportunity to grow personally.

Frances was preceded in death by her brother Jasper Jr. (1941), her father Jasper (1969), her mother Mary (1976), and her son Tom (2019). She is survived by husband Jules; son Frank (Marty) of Plano, TX; daughter Julie (David) of Farmington, NM; 6 grandchildren, Adam and Matthew Koss, Michael Koss, Nicole Vallarial, Haley and Lance Golden and 6-great-grandchildren.

Frances had many wonderful qualities, but her greatest was her dedication to and willingness to sacrifice for her family. She always put the needs of others ahead of her own, showing us all what it means to love.

At Frances's request, a private family burial was held.