Marie Anna “Mary” Wolan Kozar, 104, was born July 13, 1921, in Newark, N.J., and died May 18, 2026. In the long arc of her life, Mary carried herself with a quiet steadiness and a deeply personal kind of grace—one that was felt most clearly in the way she held close the people and communities she loved. She resided in Shallotte, N.C.

Mary married Thomas Kozar on May 17, 1947. He preceded her in death on October 24, 2007. After that great loss, Marie’s devotion to family remained a constant, expressed in the enduring bonds she nurtured and the care she gave in the everyday ways that matter most.

Mary is survived by her three children, Thomas J. Kozar, Kenneth S. Kozar and Maryann E. McCann; three loving grandchildren, TJ, Paul and Jennifer; and a number of extended family.

Mary’s faith and sense of belonging were important parts of her life. She was a member of St. Terese Catholic Church in Mooresville, N.C., and she also gave her time and support as a member of the VFW Post 2031 Auxiliary and DAV Chapter #68 Auxiliary—quiet commitments that reflected a sincere respect for service and a heartfelt connection to others.

A graveside service will be held at Iredell Memorial Park in Statesville, N.C., on May 22, 2026, at 12 noon, where Mary will be laid to rest.

Condolences may be shared with the family online at www.bunchjohnsonfuneralhome.com

Bunch-Johnson Funeral Home of Statesville is honored to be entrusted with the care of Mary and her family.