Obituary of Cristine Argyrakis Kozma

Cristine Argyrakis Kozma of Wappingers Falls, passed away at home on Thursday May 21, 2015, following recent cardiac surgery. She was 62. Born on December 20, 1952 in Manhattan, Cristine was raised in rural New Jersey where she fell in love with all local wildlife, often bringing home injured birds, squirrels, rabbits and abandoned cats. Her passion grew stronger in adulthood; Cristine did everything from making heated beds in her garage for feral cats, to nursing a baby opossum back to health in a small igloo-like doghouse. Animals naturally gravitated to that sweet melodic voice and knew there was help nearby. She started Kozma's Kitties online, a little piece of heaven for her. There, she met other like-minded people who knew of cats and kittens in need of good homes and dire cat situations. She also created a place for people to pass along good kitty tips or just brag about their favorite felines. This networking site helped save so many cats that otherwise would not be in their forever homes today. Cris attended PS-27 in Patterson, NJ, graduated from White Plains High School in 1970 and received a BFA with Honors from Purchase College in 1980. She freelanced in many facets of design for years, moving on to FPG International, which she loved and therefore excelled. As a senior account executive, Cris managed many high profile accounts and sold thousands of the high quality stock images, for which FPG is known. Other jobs followed when Cris and her husband decided to move out of New York City to Dutchess County and start a family, but FPG remained the company which she reminisced most. Cristine was predeceased by her mother, Toula Zannis Argyrakis in 1992. Survivors include her father, Stratis Argyrakis and his wife, Mary; her aunt, Jean Contides; her husband, Robert, and their children, Christopher and Zoe; her brother, Straty Argyrakis and his wife, Karen; her stepsisters, Amy Argyrakis and her husband, Adam Thalrose, and Kim Argyrakis; her closest friend of nearly 30 years, Linda McDaniel Visentin; and a huge group of the most loving, creative and devoted friends one can imagine. Family and friends are invited and look forward to the comfort of being together for a Memorial Service to celebrate the life of Cristine on Saturday, June 6, 2015 from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m.at Mount Alvernia Retreat Center, 158 Delavergne Avenue in Wappingers Falls. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to ease the financial burdens of Cristine's family. A site has been set up and the family is extremely grateful to those who have donated. For those interested, please visit: http://www.gofundme.com/cristinekozma. Arrangements are under the direction of Straub, Catalano & Halvey Funeral Home, 55 E. Main Street, Wappingers Falls, NY 12590. To send a personal condolence, please visit our website at www.StraubCatalanoHalvey.com.