Ethel May Cogswell's Obituary
Ethel May Cogswell (Sullivan), age 88, of Millsboro, DE., formerly of the Washington, DC area, died on Sept. 2, 2013 in Lewes, DE..
Mrs. Cogswell was born in Washington, DC, daughter of the late Theodore and Ruth (Lindsey) Sullivan. She was raised and attended school in South East District of Washington, DC. In addition to her parents she was preceded in death by her husband of 67 years James I. Cogswell; her oldest daughter Judi; two brothers James and Wallace Sullivan and 1 sister Maggie (Sullivan) Fowler.
She married James I. Cogswell on August 18, 1943 and began their life together living and working in the Washington area until retiring and re-locating to the Lewes area in Delaware, where they made their permanent home. Before retiring to Lewes she worked at a large real estate office (Walker & Dunlop) in Washington, DC and later helped out at a jewelry store in Rehoboth Beach. She always liked to keep busy. During their life together they raised two daughters, Judith L. Kay (Cogswell) and husband Bob and Nancy L. Kossow (Cogswell) and husband Michael.
Ethel was a very devoted wife and mother who always enjoyed her family and friends. She especially enjoyed working in her yard and planting all her flowers and plants. Of her many hobbies she loved to sew, where she made doll clothes for everyone's dolls and dolls she collected. She also collected stamps and coins. As an avid reader she often times would read a book a day. She loved to shop and was always looking for things for everyone else. Feeding wild birds and watching them and cats was one of her favorite pastimes. Sitting at the Boardwalk and watching the people pass by, especially children and babies brought her great contentment.
She was a devoted Christian and member of St. Peters Church in Lewes for 35 years where she helped with everything, from dinners, fund raising, cleaning, or any work that needed to be done. She genuinely loved her faith and always did good for everyone. She knew, she was a very valued mother, friend and confidante for many.
She truly enjoyed life and playing cards or games with her grandchildren as well as traveling. Whether it was going to Virginia to visit her daughter or to upper Michigan to visit her other daughter, she would be packed days ahead.
Mrs. Cogswell had a generous spirit and gave freely of herself and anything she had, if it was what someone needed. She provided a strong example of a faith filled life and will be missed by all who knew her.
She is survived by her daughter Nancy, grandchildren Brian Kay (and wife Daivie), Lt. Col. David Reynolds and wife Jennifer, and Angela Osterloh and husband Jim; Great-grandchildren Alyssa and Hannah Kay, Cole and Allison Osterloh, and Ava and Audrey Reynolds.
Memorial services will be held on Friday Oct. 4, 2013 at 1:00 PM at St. Peters Episcopal Church, 2nd Street, Lewes, DE
Please visit Mrs. Cogswell's Life Memorial Webpage and sign the online guest registry at www.parsellfuneralhomes.com
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