Nancy L. Kurdziel

(Medina) Nancy L. Kurdziel, age 76, passed away peacefully on January 10, 2025 surrounded by her loving daughters. She was born in Medina on May 30, 1948, a daughter of the late Frank and Jean (Grimes) Marek, and had lived in Lyndonville and Medina all of her life.

Nancy graduated from LA Webber High School in Lyndonville, and as an alumni, enjoyed helping to plan class reunions, as she always looked forward to seeing her high school classmates and catching up with them. After high school, she attended Erie County Technical Institute for medical lab and lab tech studies and became a licensed practical nurse. Nancy worked for 38 years as an LPN serving the community at Medina Memorial Hospital—primarily on the North Wing. She took great pride in her work, appreciated her co-workers, and truly loved taking care of others and making them feel seen and special.

Upon retirement, Nancy was able to shift her focus even more to family and to her hobbies/ meaningful interests. She was very proud to come from such a large family, and prioritized keeping up with everyone’s special occasions, achievements, and helping to document them. She used every resource available to make beautiful photo albums that she would give as gifts so loved ones had physical memories to look back on and reflect. Her calendar was always marked with everyone’s birthdays, anniversaries, and special milestones so that she could promptly send cards in celebration.

Nancy married the love of her life, Bob Kurdziel, on February 7, 1970, and they enjoyed 48 years of marriage together. Gardening, vacationing in the Adirondacks, and supporting the Buffalo Bills were central shared pleasures; Nancy found comfort in continuing those activities upon losing Bob six years ago. She found great joy in passing time sitting outside on her patio: observing nature, feeling the sunshine, listening to her pond’s waterfall, and visiting with loved ones and neighbors. She also found pleasure in putting together jigsaw puzzles, doing crosswords, journaling, and collecting Peanuts memorabilia—especially anything featuring Snoopy. Most importantly, she cherished spending time with her family. She adored her grandchildren, and absolutely spoiled them with her love: showering them with affection, gifts, and plenty of good food and treats was her favorite thing to do. She deeply loved her siblings and entire extended family and cherished every opportunity to gather and spend time together—especially when the gatherings were at the family farm, which is where she has always felt most at home and at peace. She will be greatly missed by all who loved her and those whose lives she so generously touched.

In addition to her parents, Nancy was predeceased by her loving husband, Bob; sister, Beverly Sargent; and father-in-law and mother-in-law, Edmund and Helen (Biernacki) Kurdziel.

She is survived by her daughters, Laurie (Dana Bentley) Kurdziel, Jill (Robb) Kurdziel Tillett, Susan Todd; grandchildren, Justin Kurdziel-Tai, Aaron Kurdziel-Tai, Billy Tillett, Oliver Tillett, Devin Galbreath, Ethan Galbreath; siblings Larry (Norva) Marek, Sandy (Glenn Skala) Marek, Scott (Tanya) Marek, Greg (Renee) Marek, Gary Marek, Brian (Tonna) Marek; brother-in-law, Frank Sargent; aunt, Joanne Grimes; as well as several nieces, nephews, and cousins.

Calling hours will be held on Friday, January 17th from 4:00pm-7:00pm at Cooper Funeral Home, 215 West Center St., Medina. Nancy’s Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Saturday, January 18th at 11:00am at Holy Trinity Parish, St. Mary’s Church, Medina. Burial will be in Sacred Heart Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 262 Danny Thomas Place, Memphis, TN 38105. To share a special memory of Nancy, visit: www.cooperfuneralhome.com.