Josephine Virginia Cosgrove

Josephine Virginia (Magnotta) Cosgrove Josephine Virginia (Magnotta) Cosgrove was born in Albion Michigan on the 25th of November 1922. She was the second youngest of eight children born to Michael and Catherine Magnotta, who had come to America several years before in search of their American dream. Josephine, who was known as Jo to her friends and Josey to her family was an independent and self-made girl who had to learn to hold her own in a family of seven siblings. She graduated from high school in Albion and went on to attend Albion College. In the early 1940s on a double date she met Richard Cosgrove from Lansing and after his return from World War II service in the Navy, they were married in September of 1945. They settled in Lansing and Josephine went to work for the Michigan Aeronautics Commission and then later served as a secretary to Governor G. Mennen Williams. She left the Governor's Office in the mid-1950s to start raising her children. In the late 1960s, she returned to the working world as an agent for Simons Real Estate where she became a Million Dollar Seller. As she loved her work, she continued in real estate at Coldwell Banker well into her seventies. Jo lost her beloved Richard, her husband of fifty-three years, to cancer in 1998. Since that time, she has continued to focus her love and attention on her children, her twelve grandchildren, and until his passing, her faithful dog, Lucky. Josephine was a polite and graceful person who always showed the greatest care and compassion for others. In conversation, she never spoke of herself, but always inquired about the welfare of others. She was a strong and courageous person and a woman of great faith. She carried herself with class and dignity while at the same time setting an example of humility for her family and others to follow. She loved smiling, singing, dancing and had a soft spot in her heart for Dean Martin. Her greatest love was her family who returned that love to her along with the greatest amount of respect and admiration. Josephine was preceded in death by her husband, Richard; her infant son, James Richard; and her granddaughter, Emily. She is survived by her sister, Adeline Young of Albion; her daughter, Lisa Regan, and son-in-law, Thomas of Grand Ledge; daughter, Mary Anne Sliger of Lansing; her son, John Cosgrove, and daughter-in-law, Sharon, of Lansing; and her son, Mark Cosgrove, and daughter-in-law, Charlyn, of Grand Ledge. Josephine is also survived by her adoring grandchildren, Andrea (Jason), T.J., Sean, Jacque, John, Job, Abbie, Alyssa, Anthony, Allison, Angela and Andrew, who will all miss her greatly. The family would like to thank the staff at Independence Village, the McLaren Visiting Nurses, and the staff at Eaton Community Hospice for the love and compassionate care given to our mother. You are wonderful people. Visitation will be at Estes-Leadley Greater Lansing Chapel, 325 W. Washtenaw, Lansing on Wednesday from 5:00 to 8:00pm, with a Rosary at 7:00pm. Funeral Mass will be celebrated by Fr. John P. Klein on Thursday, November 5, 2009 at 10:00 a.m. at St. Gerard Church, 4437 W. Willow Hwy., Lansing. Rite of Committal will follow at St. Joseph Catholic Cemetery. Donations can be made in her name to Eaton Community Hospice.