Mary R. Kossatz, of Cream Ridge, died on Tuesday, February 17 at Centra State Medical Center in Freehold. Born in Rockaway, NJ, she lived in Morris Plains before moving to Cream Ridge with her late husband, Fred, where they settled and got engaged in farming. Their interest being in the Polled Hereford Cattle. At this time, Mary expanded her interests to do volunteer work in various organizations. It all started as a 4-H Leader in Ocean County. She found it very interesting and rewarding working with 4-H members, leaders, parents and the 4-H staff. As time progressed, she went on to the Ocean County Board of Agriculture and the Ocean County Fair Committee, then to the state level, the New Jersey Fair Association, New Jersey Equine Advisory Board, New Jersey Polled Hereford Association, New Jersey 4-H Development Fund and the Horse Park of New Jersey. Mary felt it was a great step in her life, when she was given the opportunity to work as a volunteer in the various areas mentioned above. Mary also served in her life time as a member of the Board of Managers of the Experimental Station at Cook College, Rutgers. She also at one time was a member of the Upper Freehold Township Planning Board, she was the first woman to sit on this board. Her great interest and accomplishments were recognized by the awards she received. In Ocean County, she received the 4-H Leader of the Year Award, the Homemakers of the Year and the Distinguished Services in Community and 4-H Leadership. On the state level she received the Governor?s Trophy-Horse Person of the Year, given by the New Jersey Equine Advisory Board, The State Board of Agriculture Award for Distinguished Service, given by the New Jersey Board of Agriculture and the Gold Medallion Award for Distinguished Service to Agriculture, given by the New Jersey Agriculture Society. Mary also received the Epsolon Sigma PHX1 Chapter Award for recognition to the Cooperative Extension Service of Cook College and the Educational Program. Mary was predeceased by her husband, Fred H. Kossatz, in 1987 and also by her sister, Susan Riczko. She is survived by a brother, Joseph Kocur and his wife Helen; nieces and their husbands, Carol and Casey Wilk, Susan and Ron Roy, Mary Ellen and Robert Allen and niece, Roberta Holten; nephews, Joseph Kocur, Jr. and John Riczko; several grand nieces and grand nephews and her close friends, Doug and Kathy Jenkenson of Forked River and Bill Search of Cream Ridge. Mary is also survived by many friends she volunteered with and many friends, who made is possible for her to live the lifestyle she and her husband enjoyed. Funeral services will be held on Monday, February 23 at 11:00 AM at the Tilghman Funeral Home, 52 Main Street in New Egypt (www.tilghmanfh.com), with burial to follow in Emleys Hill Cemetery in Cream Ridge. Calling hours will be on Sunday evening, February 22 from 5:00 to 8:00 PM and again on Monday morning from 10:00 to 11:00 AM at the funeral home. Memorial contributions in Mary?s memory may be made to the Horse Park of New Jersey, P. O. Box 419, Cream Ridge, NJ 08514 or to the Ocean County 4-H Association, 1623 Whitesville Road, Toms River, NJ 08753 or to the organization of the donor?s choice.