Janice Nicole Kostecka

Janice “Nicole” Kostecka was born January 21, 1991 in Dallas, TX to Charles and Jan Hart and later raised and adopted by John Joseph Kostecka Jr. and Nina Marie Delaney. Nicole succumbed to complications that arose from injuries she sustained in a tragic car accident that occurred on January 17, 2020 near Llano, Texas. Her beloved black lab rescue named “Riley” perished in the accident. For 5 months, Nicole fought a very valiant and inspirational fight and had made astounding strides in her recovery. The isolation she experienced because of the pandemic, took its toll on her, she desperately needed to be around the people that she loved. Sadly, Nicole lost her hard fought battle and passed from this life on Friday, June 19, 2020. Nicole was a very determined young lady. In high school, she excelled academically. She was involved in sports and multitude of extracurricular activities while also attending college classes at Cedar Valley Community College in Lancaster. In 2009, shortly after her 18th birthday, Nicole was involved in an auto accident that resulted in a Traumatic Brain Injury. Medical professionals feared that she would never fully recover. Her healing journey was long and extremely challenging, but she faced it with sheer determination and an inner strength that far exceeded the definitions of determination and fortitude. This girl had a fire within her that burned brightly, and she remained steady and focused on being the best that she could be. Her healing journey lasted almost 10 years and while it set her back, she held onto her aspirations and enrolled herself back in college at McLennan Community College in Waco. She was determined to achieve what she had set out to do years earlier. Chasing her academic dreams eventually led her to Texas State University in San Marcos. She was one semester away from earning her Bachelor’s Degree in Education and had made the Dean’s list. Nicole was anxiously looking forward to her last semester, because it allowed her to, at the request of her Physics Professor, serve as tutor to her peers, to teach, to share her knowledge and passion for learning. She had a traumatic Brain Injury yet she would be tutoring Physics. Please take a moment to let that sink in and you will catch a glimpse of the person she was. Nicole was a fighter at every stage of her life, she was again defying those around with baby steps forward. The last 5 months she fought in typical Nicole fashion, with an undeniable passion for life. Nicole was a dynamic person, yet simple. She enjoyed her quiet introspective times, she loved to read, was artistic and creative. She loved a multitude of music genres which was surprising at her age. She especially loved Johnny Cash, so much so that he was the subject of one of her term papers. In contrast to her quiet times, she loved to travel, be outdoors, laugh, she loved “live” music and playing hard with a very active and busy black lab growing puppy. She spent much time with Riley and it was clear to see the love between them. He was eager to learn and of course Nicole was eager to teach him. They had a magnificent relationship. She had a compassion for others that often resulted in making lifelong connected friends. Those that knew Nicole knew that a stranger was just a friend that she hadn’t met yet. She was wise beyond her years and had wonderful plans to do great things. Her friends knew that she loved them and her actions proved it. She was loyal at times to a fault to those she loved, but that never stopped her from giving love freely. She knew the value of friendship and genuinely treasured those close to her. Nicole was beautifully unique. She took nothing for granted, expected nothing in return. Nicole remained true to herself, she lived honestly and never felt entitled to anything. She was grateful and appreciative for all that she had. She knew that the best things in life were the things that money couldn’t buy and genuinely appreciated the value of those things and people. She knew that through hard work, a positive attitude, unwavering determination, loving without conditions and being passionate about doing what you love, were the keys to true happiness. She didn’t need to wear makeup to look beautiful. She was beautiful just as she was, both inside and out. Her smile was infectious and her laugh was contagious. She loved making people laugh, even at the risk of stepping out of her comfort zone and making herself look silly. There were no lengths that she wouldn’t go to just to brighten someone’s day and she took the time to make sure those she loved were happy if only for a moment, with random simple kind things that she did. Those that recognized the rare and sometimes misunderstood person that she was, held on to her because she was truly a treasure, and could brighten your day with her positive spirit and kindness. You didn’t have to look too far to see the goodness within her. She not only existed, she lived her life on her own terms and she left this world a much better place than she found it. Her positive impact cast never ending ripples that will live forever. She touched and impacted lives, she was a nurturer and a “giver”. She altered lives profoundly, not only by knowing her, but also by losing her. She was preceded in death by her four -legged best friend, Riley. Her natural father, Charles Hart; and her grandfathers, Rev. M. L. Hart, John Kostecka Sr. and Breney Hamilton. Nicole is survived by her mom, Nina Delaney and husband Raymond; her dad, John Kostecka Jr. and wife Danna; and her sister, Brittany Kostecka and Nick Melton; her grandmothers Neita Hamilton, Wilma Kostecka, and Dorothy Martin. She leaves behind extended family and countless friends and an amazing little Godson, named Teddy. She also leaves behind the Sonnier family who were very special people in her life. Family will receive friends from 6:00pm to 8:00pm, Friday, June 26, 2020 at Byrum Funeral Home Chapel. A celebration of Nicole’s life will be at 1:00pm, Saturday, June 27, 2020 at First Baptist Church in Hutchins. Graveside burial will follow at Edgewood Cemetery in Lancaster. ***Face-masks are required at visitation as well as at the other services.***

Tributes

Janice Nicole Kostecka

January 21, 1991 - June 19, 2020