Angele J. Kotlow

Angele was born in Argenteuil, France in June 1929. She lived in Croth, France, helping her parents run a Hotel/Bar/Restaurant. Angele was sent to Bogucice, Poland for her safety and to help her uncle just before the German invasion. She remained there for several years until it was safe to return home.

After the war, Angele moved to Paris and worked for a Countess. There she met her future husband, Apolinary “Polo” Kotlow. They each emigrated to America, continued their courtship, and eventually, married at St. Stanislaus church, NYC in December 1955. They had 57 wonderful years together. As an Army couple, Angele and Polo moved from Fayetteville, NC, to Bad Toelz Germany then to Shirley, Ma., where Polo retired from the US Army at Fort Devens. Angele spent most of those years working full time while raising the family. Angele ran the household single-handedly while Polo was deployed to Vietnam. After Polo retired, he and Angele moved to Portsmouth, RI where they built her dream house and to be closer to family and near a military base.

Angele loved all creatures, especially dogs and birds. She loved gardening and raised many plant children. Everything thrived under mom's green thumb. She had a special love for Calla lillys, red roses, and poppies and to cook for and entertain the family. Angele also loved to sing at the Naval Station Newport Chapel of Hope. Undeterred by macular degeneration, Angele improvised by making large print copies of the sheet music. No telling how many songbook pages were sacrificed for this effort.

Angele was a tireless worker, and instilled that dedication into her children. She routinely worked extra hours and night shifts to earn additional money for the family. She worked difficult manufacturing jobs, while ensuring all her children went to college….AND everyone had to learn to play at least one musical instrument. After retirement, she kept busy with product demonstrations, even into her 70s. Angele led by example, not words. She put her whole self into the family, and her children’s successes are the fruit of that effort.

Angele is survived by her children; Stanislaus (Andrea), Dominik (Maureen), Urszula (Mike), Kazimirez, 6 grandchildren, 2 great grandchildren, and sister Marie-Therese (Belmont), still living in Paris. She was predeceased by her husband Apolinary and her brother Stanis.

Visitation hours will be held from 8:30am to 9:30am, Monday July 8th in Avery-Storti Funeral Home, 88 Columbia St. Wakefield, RI. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10:00am in Christ the King Church, 180 Old North Road. Kingston, RI. Her final resting place will be at 1:oo PM in St. Columba Cemetery in Middletown, RI.

If desired, donations can be made to the Potter League for Animals, 87 Oliphant Lane Middletown, RI or potterleague.org