Ann Cosgrove Romano

Ann (Cosgrove) Romano, 96, passed away after a brief illness on October 14, 2023 in Englewood, Florida. She was predeceased by her husband of 31 years, Carmelo (Moe) Romano. She was born on December 29, 1926 in Hartford, CT but lived in South Windsor and West Hartford, Connecticut, until moving in with her daughter, Patti McMahon, in Niantic, CT and later to Venice, Fl. Besides her loving daughter, she is survived by her devoted daughter in law, Leslie Romano and Steve Carr, West Hartford, CT. The four pride and joys of her life were her grandchildren; Stephanie (Chris) Shaw, Old Saybrook, CT; Kelly Romano, Ladson, SC ; Lauren (Bill) Landry, Chelmsford, MA; Dylan Romano, West Hartford, CT and her two great grandchildren, Jude and Ivy Shaw and her brother, Francis (Marilyn) Cosgrove, Bloomfield, CT. Ann is also survived by her godchildren, MaryBeth Cosgrove (Larry) Davidson, Madison, CT ; and Sharyn Perrelli,(Sandy); Nutley, NJ. Ann has numerous nieces and nephews as well as great nieces and nephews who she loved very much. She was the daughter of Martin Cosgrove and Margaret (Leonard) Cosgrove of Hartford, Connecticut. Ann's parents were immigrants from Ireland. She was predeceased by her son, Michael F. Romano, her son in law, Judge Kevin P. McMahon; her sister, Kay (Red) Swarberg, Bonita, CA; her brother, Tom Cosgrove, Skaneateles, NY; her brother, Joe (Maureen) Cosgrove, Vernon, CT; her godson, John Christ, Bolton, CT, her father-in-law and mother in law, Rosario and Antoinina (Gibilisco) Romano, Hartford, CT; her inlaws, Ann (Vinny) Driscoll, Windsor, CT, Connie (Joe) Neseralla, South Windsor, CT; and Gene (Ellie) Romano, Newington, CT.
Ann was the surrogate mother to her best friend, Mary Christ's, family and looked at them as her children. She is survived by Richard (Kathy) Christ, Wethersfield, CT; Maureen (Bob) Bordeaux, Wells, ME; Nuala Christ (John), San Juan Capistrano, CA; Michael (Shelley) Christ, West Hartford, CT and Cathy (Fran) Marino, West Hartford, CT. Ann would spend Friday night dinners at the Marino household which she so cherished and Harry and Ronan Marino were also adopted grandchildren in her eyes. All of the Christ Family children and grandchildren brought such joy to Nana Ann. She spent all family birthdays, weddings, and whatever the occasion with them and loved being a part of their family. Ann also was predeceased by her dear friend, Jan Dandley. They were friends and neighbors for many years.
Ann attended the Immaculate Conception School and Hartford Public High School. She worked at CBT Bank in the late 50's. Ann and her husband, Moe, opened up a grinder shop on Albany Avenue in Hartford called Ann's Grinders. They had the store for many years. She then went to work in the office in West Hartford, CT of Sears and Roebuck. After that, she worked at Puritan Bake Shop in Wethersfield, Connecticut. Her last job when she was in her early 80's was to work in the West Hartford Public Library. She finally retired in her late 80's. She was a lifelong member of the Irish American Club in Glastonbury, CT and was one of the founding members of the Hartford Feis which then moved to their Glastonbury location. Patti did Irish Dancing and Ann did hours of embroidering on her many costumes over the years. Every weekend in the summer, Ann would take Patti to a Feis all over and be the dutiful mother. She was always there for Michael's football, basketball and baseball games as she was for Dylan's same three sports. She would bring her chair every week for Dylan's games and no matter how cold it got, she just bundled up. Ann was an avid baker and would never go to anyone's house without bringing a cake, cupcakes or cookies. She never missed sending cards for anyone's birthday, anniversary or whatever event was in someone's life. She loved to read and would go through books one after another.
Ann was blessed to have been taken care of the last 10 months of her life by a wonderful caregiver, Lori Lee, in Venice, FL. Friends and family may go to St. Thomas Church in West Hartford, CT on Saturday, December 9, 2023, at 10:00 AM. Burial will be immediately following at the Fairview Cemetery in West Hartford. Molloy Funeral Home, 906 Farmington Avenue, West Hartford, CT, are taking care of the funeral arrangements. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the American Cancer Society, P.O. Box 280285, East Hartford, CT 06128.