Ellington Obituary: Mary Cosgrove, 83

Mary “Maureen” (Mullarkey) Cosgrove, 83, of Vernon, beloved wife of the late Joseph Cosgrove, passed away peacefully on Sunday, July 2, 2017 at home surrounded by her family.

Born in Ballina, County Mayo, Ireland on July 4, 1933, the daughter of the late Edward and Ann (Nealon) Mullarkey, she came to the United States in 1950 and lived in Hartford before moving to Vernon 56 years ago. She was a graduate of the Sisters of Mercy School in Ballina, County Mayo, Ireland.

After coming to Hartford, Maureen opened and operated the former Mullarkey School of Irish Step Dancing. Prior to her retirement in 1991, she was employed by United Technologies Corporation for 23 years. Maureen was a communicant of St. Luke Church in Ellington, where she served as a Eucharistic minister, former CCD teacher and former member of the parish council.

She was a past president of the former Suburban Women’s Club of Vernon. She was a longtime volunteer at Rockville General Hospital, past president of RGH Auxiliary and an ECHN Corporator. Maureen was a life member of the Irish American Home Society in Glastonbury.

Maureen will be remembered for her quiet grace, dignity, faith and love for her family and Irish heritage.

She is survived by her loving children, Kevin Cosgrove and his wife Leslie (Magner) of Orlando, FL, Maryjo Cosgrove of Melrose, MA, Mairead Cosgrove Chong and her husband Paul of Bridgewater, NJ and Aileen Cosgrove and her fiance Vincent Bifolck of Vernon. She leaves behind her grandchildren who were the joys of her life; Thomas, Julia, Jessica and Alison Chong and Joseph Cosgrove. She is also survived by her brother Joseph Mullarkey and his wife Mary of Wethersfield, her sister Margaret Mullarkey of West Hartford, her special cousin “sister” Anne Foley of Manchester, her sister-in-law Anne C. Romano of West Hartford, her brother-in-law Francis Cosgrove and his wife Marilyn of Bloomfield, as well as many nieces, nephews, cousins and lifelong friends. In addition to her beloved Joe, Maureen was predeceased by her brother John “Sean” Mullarkey, and son-in-law Vincent Cammarata.

Her family would like to gratefully thank caregiver and friend Robin Fiorita for her love and companionship.

Maureen’s family will receive friends for calling hours on Wednesday, July 12, 2017 from 4-8pm at the Ladd-Turkington & Carmon Funeral Home, 551 Talcottville Road (Rt 83) Vernon. Family and friends may gather at the funeral home on Thursday July 13, 2017 at 10 a.m. followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 11 a.m. at St. Luke Church, 141 Maple Street, Ellington. Burial will follow in Mount Saint Benedict Cemetery, Bloomfield.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations in her name may be made to St. Luke Church, P.O. Box 246, Ellington, CT 06029.