Shirley Anne Cosgrove
September 23, 1939 – February 22, 2018
Shirley Cosgrove passed away peacefully, surrounded by her beloved family on February 22, 2018, at the age of 78. She was born Shirley Anne McLing on September 23, 1939, in Chicago. She met John Cosgrove in 1960, during their senior year of college at Immaculate Heart and Loyola University of Los Angeles, respectively. It was love at first sight, and Shirley decided to forego the convent. Six months later they married and made Playa del Rey their home for more than 56 years.
Shirley’s love for literature led her to obtain her master’s in English Literature. A career as a teacher followed, and more recently she was a tutor at St. Bernard High School, in Playa del Rey. She was an avid reader and life member of the Jane Austen Society of North America.
She served as a steward of the community. She was well known for her Christmas Eve dinners, which she hosted for family, friends and friends of friends, who did not have family or were unable to travel for the holidays. She was full of life; she loved, and was loved by many.
Shirley is survived by her husband, John, their twin daughters, Danielle Cosgrove and Denise Cosgrove Bassett, son Mark Cosgrove, grandchildren Kali Cosgrove and Amanda Bassett, and sister Pat McLing Ballew. Shirley’s extended family included many honorary grandchildren and dear friends. The love, guidance and life lessons she provided, will be sorely missed by all of us.
The Rosary will be held at 7:30 p.m. on Friday, March 16, at St. Anastasia Catholic Church, 7390 W. Manchester Avenue, Los Angeles 90045. The Memorial Service and Mass will be held Saturday, March 17, at 10:30 a.m. at the same location.
In lieu of flowers, the family encourages donations to St. Bernard High School STEM Programs (in memory of Shirley Cosgrove): 9100 Falmouth Avenue, Playa del Rey, CA 90293, Attention: Shireen Ossanlo, Director of Development.
“To the Memory”
by Jane Austen
I see her here, with all her smiles benign,
Her looks of eager Love, her accents sweet.
That voice and Countenance almost divine!
Expression, Harmony, alike complete.
I listen—’tis not sound alone—’tis sense,
’Tis Genius, Taste and Tenderness of Soul.
’Tis genuine warmth of heart without pretense
And purity of Mind that crowns the whole.
She speaks; ’tis Eloquence—that grace of Tongue
So rare, so lovely!—Never misapplied.
Hers is the Energy of Soul sincere.
Her Christian Spirit ignorant to feign,
Seeks but to comfort, heal, enlighten, cheer,
Confer a pleasure, or prevent a pain.