Florence Mary Cosso

Florence Mary Cosso

Jan 24,1916-Jan 12,2014
Resident of Lafayette

 

Florence Cosso passed away at the age of 97 on Sunday afternoon January 12, 2014.

Florence was born in Gilroy, California to Italian immigrants Mario Brusaschetto and Guissepini Guttero Brusaschetto, who were both born and grew up in Casarello, a small town in the state of Piedmonte, Italy east of the city of Torino. Florence was an only child.

Florence grew up in the Temescal District of Oakland, California and graduated from Oakland Technical High School (Tech) in 1934. After high school, she worked in downtown Oakland at a clothing store. A big part of the Italian American community   social life and Florence's social life was spent at the Ligure Club on Shattuck Avenue in Oakland.

In 1940 she married James A. (Jack) Cosso of Lafayette, California and until 1951 lived in Oakland with Florence's parents on 46th Street. On April 8, 1942 Jack and Florence had their first son, Louis Mario Cosso and on June 10, 1946 a second son, James Candido Cosso was born. 

In 1951 Jack and Florence built a home in Lafayette, California. In the early 1950's Jack and Florence were "pioneer" Italians moving out of Temescal to "undeveloped" Lafayette-i.e. the suburbs were a new thing. Over the next few decades they made many neighborhood friends including close friend Dorothy Petersen; and lots of time was spent with Jack's brothers, Joe (Rosie), Louie (Millie), and John (Rosemary) Cosso as well as Jack's sisters Louise (Luigi )Silvano and Rena (Louie) Repetto.  Florence maintained close contact with 3 dear high school friends who met for lunch regularly: Mary Fagliano, Mary Bruno and Alma Isola.  Much time was spent attending Lafayette area football and baseball games, starting with her sons and continuing with her grandchildren. 

Jack Cosso passed away in 2002 at age 88 and in 2006 Florence moved to Rossmoor in Walnut Creek. In 2008 Florence moved into the home of her caretaker, Vicenta Michel in Pleasant Hill and was fortunate to be with Vicenta's very caring family.

Florence Cosso's life was centered on her family. She was a housewife, mother and grandmother. She loved to cook and spent many evenings enjoying dinners with her sons and their wives and children—while other times it would only be her grandchildren. 

With a fine eye for detail, she excelled at knitting, crochet, and embroidery crafting items her family enjoyed wearing and using. Her work included clothing in the colors of her grandchildren's favorite sports teams. Later in life she took up painting and painted many pictures including landscapes and portraits that her family enjoys today in their homes. 

Florence is survived by her 2 sons, Louis M. (Suzanne) Cosso and James C. (Angel ) Cosso, and her grandchildren , Gregory M. ( Lauren)  Cosso, Jennifer A. Cosso and Jason J. ( Miyon) Cosso.  She is also survived by her great grandchildren Tyler and Natalie Cosso. 

A Chapel Blessing will be held at 10:00 AM on Friday January 17, 2014 at Hull's Walnut Creek Chapel, 1139 Saranap Ave., Walnut Creek, CA 94595. Interment will   follow at Queen of Heaven Cemetery, 1965 Reliez Valley Road, Lafayette, CA 94549.