Madeleine Pierrette (Martin) Kosturko, 91, a longtime resident of Shelton, passed away peacefully surrounded by her loving family.
The only child of Raymond and Alice Martin, Madeleine was born in Domeyrot, France. She spent her childhood in France during the difficult years of World War II, an experience that quietly shaped her character and instilled in her a deep resilience, strength, and self-reliance. She cherished her French heritage throughout her life and, after immigrating to the United States, became a proud naturalized American citizen. She deeply loved her adopted country and was grateful for the opportunities and freedoms it afforded her and her family.
Madeleine worked as an administrator and interpreter on a U.S. Air Force base in Châteauroux, France, where she met John Kosturko, a young American serviceman. They were married on February 22, 1953, and shared more than seven decades together—nearly 73 years at the time of her passing. John, now 95, survives her.
The couple welcomed their first child in France before immigrating to the United States to build their life together. Madeleine devoted herself to raising their nine children: Chantal Zak (Rich), Gerald (Christine), Joanne Frazier (the late Thomas), John (Kathy), Thomas (Sue), Michael (Joann), Denise Roy, Richard (MaryEllen), and Michele Gourlie.
Disciplined, steadfast, and deeply devoted to her family, Madeleine believed that raising her children was life’s most important work. She approached motherhood with purpose and determination. In addition to the daily demands of caring for a large family, she took on extra work to help ensure their needs were met. She expressed her love through cooking, preparing meals first for her children and later for her growing family and grandchildren. She believed food was an expression of love and that gathering around the table was central to family life. She also found joy in tending her vegetable garden, watching the fish in her pond, feeding the birds from her back porch, and caring for her beloved bird, Bobo.
She is also survived by her cherished grandchildren: Jessica, Lauryn, TJ, Kara, Danielle, Ryan, Adam, Jane, Jillian, Brenna, and Aiden; and her great-grandchildren: Gabriel, Emry, Julian, and Max.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at St. Lawrence Church, 505 Shelton Ave., Shelton on Saturday, February 21, 2026, at 10:30 AM, followed by interment at Riverside Cemetery in Shelton.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to St. Vincent de Paul.
The Riverview Funeral Home, 390 River Road, Shelton has been entrusted with her arrangements.