Mark A. COSGROVE

1927 - 2022

Mark Cosgrove saw the love of his life last week. Even though Margaret passed away in 2011, Mark felt that she was with him as he dozed in that dreamy space between being asleep and awake. At 94 years old, Mark's body was slowing down. He even scaled back his longtime mantra, ""One day at a time,"" to ""One step at a time."" Yet for a moment, feeling his wife's presence, he found himself at peace. 

After he shared the story with us, we asked him, "What do you think it means?"

 "I think she wants me to join her," he said. 

A few days later, on Feb. 6, 2022, Mark drifted away in his sleep. It was 77 years to the week after a blind date brought Mark and Margaret together in the lobby of The Davenport Hotel in Spokane, Washington. Their love story sparked 61 years of marriage, a strong devotion to their Catholic faith, and "The 6 MCs" as they called themselves: Mark and Margaret with their children Mary Jo, Mike, Maureen, and Megan. 

Mark Anthony Cosgrove was born May 31, 1927, in Idaho Falls, Idaho, to Mark and Clara (George) Cosgrove. His brother Don arrived in 1935. Their father was a pharmacist, and that work brought the family to Odessa, Washington. 

When Mark was 17, his father died. That early loss could be one of the reasons he prioritized being present and involved with his own family. Mark forged ahead and graduated in 1945 from Odessa High, where he played football and basketball, performed in school plays, and was the only student with perfect attendance. 

He attended Washington State College, now WSU. Just before the GI Bill expired, Mark enlisted in the Army for 18 months, serving in Germany during the postwar occupation. His service covered tuition, and he was a loud and proud WSU alum for the rest of his life. Mark married Margaret Louise Smith, a first-grade teacher, on Aug. 12, 1950, in Pullman. They lived in Spokane since 1951 and were members of St. Charles Catholic Church since 1952. 

Mark started his career as a credit manager at The Crescent department store in downtown Spokane, then joined Old National Bank (now US Bank) in 1965 and stayed for 25 years, managing branches and serving as a vice president. A longtime fan of technology, Mark was proud to have introduced fax machines to bank offices all over Eastern Washington. 

In retirement, the Cosgroves enjoyed traveling with friends around the West, camping in their trailer at Little Diamond Lake, and spending winters in Arizona. They held season tickets to WSU football and Gonzaga basketball. They celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary surrounded by family at The Davenport where it all began. 

Mark was a gifted storyteller, his stories full of intrigue – usually followed by a glance to make sure we were all listening intently. Stories make us timeless and it seems he knew that. He found humor in situations that lacked common sense. And, he often suggested process improvements, most recently adding a sign at his assisted-living facility: ""Please do not disturb mail carrier."" 

His best quality was how he was always there for his family. He attended our games, concerts, plays, and other performances. He served on boards in support of education and his church and attended father-daughter dances – even learning to enjoy dancing, much to his surprise. He always had time to play catch with his son. In winter, he'd flood the backyard and play broom hockey on the ice with the kids. One family friend wrote this week, "Thanks for being one of the less crabby dads of the 1960s. And you always treated young people with both kindness and respect." 

Mark and Margaret opened their home to two foster children fleeing Cuba in 1962 and remained close to them into adulthood. 

He welcomed people into the family with open arms, always making them feel included. He prayed daily for those he loved. And he always phoned family members early on their birthday, waking us up with a silly made-up song. When we teased him back, he would say, ""I've never been this old before, I don't know how to act my age."" 

Whenever it was time to leave, Mark would always joke, "I'm glad you could see me again." This past year, it carried more meaning every time he said it.

Mark is survived by:

Brother Don & JoAnne Cosgrove of Madras, Oregon, and their children Greg, Kathy, Debbie, and Curt.

Daughter Mary Jo Mertens (whose husband Ed passed away in 2017) of Kennewick and her 2 children:
• Ellicia & Geoff Elliott with Malcolm and Henry.
• Erik Mertens & Cariña Léon.

Son Michael & Colleen Cosgrove of Redmond, Washington, and their 2 sons:
• Cole & Kim Cosgrove with Jameson and Corinne.
• Curran Cosgrove & Jacqueline Perry.

Daughter Maureen Cosgrove & Shirley Richard of Spokane.

Daughter Megan & Dave McCoy of Spokane and their 5 children:
• Aaron & Andrea McCoy with Jackson, Luke, and Scarlet.
• Tyler & Nicole McCoy.
• Cory McCoy with Levi, Hallie, Reid, and Carter.
• Ali & Brad Blakley with Graeme and Sloane.
• Bre McCoy & Connor Moore.

Foster children Lilia Ko of Spokane, Jose Ko of San Francisco, and goddaughter Linda (Ko) & Jim Chen of Spokane and their daughters Nicole and Christine.

The family offers a heartfelt thank you to Father Stan Malnar, as well as Dr. Jay Wittenkeller and staff, who cared for Mark and Margaret since 2001. Thank you to everyone at Providence Emilie Court, The Academy, and the Horizon Hospice and Palliative Care Team for their kind and compassionate care. 

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Providence Emilie Court Assisted Living, 34 E. 8th Ave., Spokane, WA, 99202, and Horizon Hospice, 608 E. Holland, Spokane, WA, 99218. 

A private family service will be held at a later date. Interment will be at Spokane's Holy Cross Cemetery, right next to Margaret.