Catherine COSGROVE Obituary

Published by Legacy Remembers from Dec. 6 to Dec. 11, 2017.

COSGROVE
nee Trainor
(Catherine Mary):
Passed away unexpectedly on Sunday 3 December 2017 but do not be overly worried, she still had a smile on her face when she departed in her sleep. She now has gone to meet her Maker.

She was affectionately known as "Aunty" or "AC" (Aunty Cath) by her family. We are not sure where this nickname came from but we think it originated from her nieces, Sarah and Rebecca, with whom she spent a great deal of time during their formative years. She loved them deeply and, in actuality, she was a very close sister to them.

Cath and her siblings inherited many wonderful attributes from their parents, Reg and Bernice, whom she is now going to join. Cath had a brain the size of a planet and, with the possible exception of her father, Reg, had the best mind that we have ever known. She was sharp as a tack and (endearingly) it came with a tongue to match. One of our favourite memories of Cath is when she received a very costly quote from Jim's Gardens - Cath's response was, "I only asked you to cut the grass. Not to buy the bloody house."

Cath had a larger-than-life personality. They threw away the mould when they made her. Another loveable characteristic of Cath was that she was generous to a fault. She would give you her last dollar, the coat off her back and the shoes she was wearing, if you needed them more than her.

We apologise to all of our friends and family that we haven't mentioned. Nevertheless, we do thank Andy and Maha in Dubai and Mark and Siska in Bali for their friendship and support throughout the last 20 years. Siska and Maha were also Cath's adopted sisters and they loved each other dearly.

Although Cath was devout in her faith, she also loved and respected her friends who held other beliefs. One night when we were in Penang, we witnessed the brightest moonlit night we had ever experienced - the palm trees looked as though they had been dusted with frost. We eagerly stayed up the following night to see the spectacle again - nothing, just an ordinary moonlit night. It wasn't until many weeks later when we were discussing this with one of her closest friends, Maha, who stated that she believed that Cath had been blessed. Maha told us that the date and time that we had seen this spectacular moonlit night corresponded with the "Night that angels walked the Earth" (from the Holy Koran). Most Muslims wish to witness this event but very very few experience it.

Cath was a consumate teacher and she mixed with kings and queens - well actually, sheiks and princesses in the UAE. She taught many younger members of the royal families there. The students and their parents highly respected Cath - not only for her teaching ability but also for the person that she was.

Cath was an avid reader of poetry, especially First World War poetry. Her Masters Degree was in English literature. Therefore, we think it fitting to include a poem that epitomises her:

At Rest (author unknown)

Think of me as one at rest,
for me you should not weep
I have no pain no troubled thoughts
for I am just asleep
The living thinking me that was,
is now forever still
And life goes on without me now,
as time forever will.

If your heart is heavy now
because I've gone away
Dwell not long upon it friend
For none of us can stay
Those of you who liked me,
I sincerely thank you all
And those of you who loved me,
I thank you most of all.

And in my fleeting lifespan,
as time went rushing by
I found some time to hesitate,
to laugh, to love, to cry
Matters it now if time began
If time will ever cease?
I was here, I used it all,
and now I am at peace.

Andrew and I could have written so much more but we have reached the allowable word limit.

From her devoted partner, Angus, and her beloved son, Andrew.

Funeral Mass will be held at St Patrick's Basilica, 47 Adelaide Street, Fremantle at 10am on Monday 18 December 2017.

Celebration reception of Cath's life will follow the funeral ceremony in the afternoon at the Swan Yacht Club, Riverside Road, Preston Point, East Fremantle WA 6158.

Cath wouldn't want either the funeral or the reception to be a dreary affair. She would want you to celebrate her life. Yes, feel the sorrow but put it "in-a-box." All that Cath would want is for you to think of her sometimes and to remember the love and happiness that you brought each other.



Memories and Condolences
for Catherine COSGROVE

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Not sure what to say?

14 Entries

January 1, 2018

Deepa Kumuduni

Dear madam Cathy(Catherine cosgrove)Today you are not in with us you gone for ever and ever.we can't see you again madam.I am in dubai I work your house 16years as a maid look after Angel(Andrew) and Angus sir, you this time I am stay your house I am very very happy,you are so nice to me and too much help Did for me.you are very very nice person and very good heart you have madam,you help for me too much my life because of you and Angus sir today I have very good life this all memory I can't forget madam,this message writing this time also my eyes falling tears this pain can't hiding really it's hurt lot's madam your house working time all memory still remember madam I miss you lot's believe me madam love you so much such a good kind you lost for ever it's like a dream madam ...Rest of peace madam

December 30, 2017

Dale Bailey

Dear Cathie, You were such a great, wonderful friend. I will never forget you for a as long as I live.

December 14, 2017

John Webb

I remember you and I cross legged on the floor In your parents front room.You would play me records from groups I didn't know.
Even back then you were educating!
We were only 16 . When our paths crossed over the years I always enjoyed your sense of humour and your vibrant enthusiasm for life! Your passing has shocked me in a way usually reserved for close family! A sudden end to a timeline.I feel like a small part of me has died with you .We were so much alike your brother Paul recently remarked to me. I will never forget your warm friendship nor your laughter .God be with you Kath. Rest in peace mate .

December 15, 2017

COSGROVE (Catherine ): Cath, a woman of great substance and unwavering friendship. In our hearts always.
Charlie and Donna

December 15, 2017

COSGROVE
(Catherine) nee Trainor:
Please see today's West for Funeral details.

December 13, 2017

COSGROVE (Catherine):
Cath, Larger than life does not do you justice. You were a comet flashing through our firmament and impacting us all, and like a comet gone too soon. We will miss your smile, laughs and unbridled generosity. Rest in Peace. Your brother Paul, Clare, Georgia, Bridget and Richard.

December 11, 2017

COSGROVE
nee Trainor
(Catherine Mary):
Passed away unexpectedly on Sunday 3 December 2017 but do not be overly worried, she still had a smile on her face when she departed in her sleep. She now has gone to meet her Maker.

She was affectionately known as "Aunty" or "AC" (Aunty Cath) by her family. We are not sure where this nickname came from but we think it originated from her nieces, Sarah and Rebecca, with whom she spent a great deal of time during their formative years. She loved them deeply and, in actuality, she was a very close sister to them.

Cath and her siblings inherited many wonderful attributes from their parents, Reg and Bernice, whom she is now going to join. Cath had a brain the size of a planet and, with the possible exception of her father, Reg, had the best mind that we have ever known. She was sharp as a tack and (endearingly) it came with a tongue to match. One of our favourite memories of Cath is when she received a very costly quote from Jim's Gardens - Cath's response was, "I only asked you to cut the grass. Not to buy the bloody house."

Cath had a larger-than-life personality. They threw away the mould when they made her. Another loveable characteristic of Cath was that she was generous to a fault. She would give you her last dollar, the coat off her back and the shoes she was wearing, if you needed them more than her.

We apologise to all of our friends and family that we haven't mentioned. Nevertheless, we do thank Andy and Maha in Dubai and Mark and Siska in Bali for their friendship and support throughout the last 20 years. Siska and Maha were also Cath's adopted sisters and they loved each other dearly.

Although Cath was devout in her faith, she also loved and respected her friends who held other beliefs. One night when we were in Penang, we witnessed the brightest moonlit night we had ever experienced - the palm trees looked as though they had been dusted with frost. We eagerly stayed up the following night to see the spectacle again - nothing, just an ordinary moonlit night. It wasn't until many weeks later when we were discussing this with one of her closest friends, Maha, who stated that she believed that Cath had been blessed. Maha told us that the date and time that we had seen this spectacular moonlit night corresponded with the "Night that angels walked the Earth" (from the Holy Koran). Most Muslims wish to witness this event but very very few experience it.

Cath was a consumate teacher and she mixed with kings and queens - well actually, sheiks and princesses in the UAE. She taught many younger members of the royal families there. The students and their parents highly respected Cath - not only for her teaching ability but also for the person that she was.

Cath was an avid reader of poetry, especially First World War poetry. Her Masters Degree was in English literature. Therefore, we think it fitting to include a poem that epitomises her:

At Rest (author unknown)

Think of me as one at rest,
for me you should not weep
I have no pain no troubled thoughts
for I am just asleep
The living thinking me that was,
is now forever still
And life goes on without me now,
as time forever will.

If your heart is heavy now
because I've gone away
Dwell not long upon it friend
For none of us can stay
Those of you who liked me,
I sincerely thank you all
And those of you who loved me,
I thank you most of all.

And in my fleeting lifespan,
as time went rushing by
I found some time to hesitate,
to laugh, to love, to cry
Matters it now if time began
If time will ever cease?
I was here, I used it all,
and now I am at peace.

Andrew and I could have written so much more but we have reached the allowable word limit.

From her devoted partner, Angus, and her beloved son, Andrew.

Funeral Mass will be held at St Patrick's Basilica, 47 Adelaide Street, Fremantle at 10am on Monday 18 December 2017.

Celebration reception of Cath's life will follow the funeral ceremony in the afternoon at the Swan Yacht Club, Riverside Road, Preston Point, East Fremantle WA 6158.

Cath wouldn't want either the funeral or the reception to be a dreary affair. She would want you to celebrate her life. Yes, feel the sorrow but put it "in-a-box." All that Cath would want is for you to think of her sometimes and to remember the love and happiness that you brought each other.

December 8, 2017

COSGROVE (Catherine ): Our fabulous, glamorous, generous AC is gone from us.
We will miss your wit and kindness, and always treasure our time with you, especially as our first port of call in Dubai on our long journeys home.
Big Bob, we're always here for you.
Kate, David and "Little Bob"

December 8, 2017

COSGROVE (Catherine ): Loved sister, sister-in-law and Aunty

Left us too soon.

Sympathy to Andrew and all who loved her.
Nev, Gill and family

December 9, 2017

COSGROVE (Catherine ): Sincere sympathy to all Cath's family on her sad passing. I will miss our hilarious conversations.
Peta Davis & staff at Stocker Preston Augusta

December 7, 2017

COSGROVE (Catherine):
The loss of Cath has been a terrible shock. Sincere sympathy to all the family from Maureen, Thelma and Peter Burnett.
Cath, you will be remembered with much love. Loving thoughts to Andrew from Aunty Mau.

December 7, 2017

COSGROVE
(Catherine Mary):
Suddenly on 3.12.2017. In loving memory of Cath. Dearest sister of Barbara, sister-in-law of Peter (dec) and aunty Cath of Stuart, Mark, Damon and their families. Rest in peace.

December 6, 2017

COSGROVE Catherine
(nee Trainor):
8.8.1957 — 3.12.2017 My dearest sister ("Aunty"), where do I begin to tell you just how much I love and miss you? The link is now broken in our 60 year history and your almost daily phone calls are now silenced. Taken so suddenly and without warning. You touched so many lives as a talented teacher and educator, a clear thinker with a love of learning, enquiry and adventure. A lover of life, generous, flamboyant and humorous. You lived your life to the full, a life that will not be forgotten. As children we shared many memories of early Applecross and Mornington Mills. Later as adults camping in Gracetown and Yanchep, working in the Middle East and more recently in family celebrations in Applecross and East Fremantle. By leaving us you have left a gap in the family, a gap filled with incredible grief and enormous and deep sadness. "Aunty", thank you for the memories we shared and for being my sister and my friend.
"Sen"
COSGROVE (Catherine):
AC your flame burned bright and has disappeared far too soon. Treasured memories of our days at Willcocks Street, the outrageous tales of adventures and near misses, the laughs we had, the special occasions we shared. As children you were generous and always interested in what we were doing. You had a brilliant mind, you were audacious, flamboyant, witty and infuriating in equal measures. You were a champion of the underdog and could never resist a stray dog.
Forever in our hearts, Sarah, Mike, Nicholas and Marcus

December 6, 2017

COSGROVE (Catherine ): Aunty, I wish I had told you I loved you more and how important you were to me. I will miss your incredible intellect, dry humour, unending support and words of wisdom. You were truly a unique person. The world is a much more mundane and boring place without you. I will miss you terribly. You will always be in our hearts A.C. Love always Reb, Sandy, Josh, Bella.

Showing 1 - 14 of 14 results

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