Obituary for Shirley M. Cosman
Shirley M. (Lloyd) Cosman, 79, of Ellington beloved wife of fifty-nine years to Gerald A. Cosman, passed peacefully from this life into everlasting life on Monday, February 8, 2021, twenty years to the day following the death of her beloved mother. She was born July 9, in Kirkland, New Brunswick, Canada, the first daughter of the late Lewis and Avis (Gidney) Lloyd. Shirley was the eldest of six children, five sisters and a brother, and lived in Kirkland, New Brunswick Canada and Vernon, CT prior to moving to Ellington. Shirley graduated from Rockville High School – Class of 1959. Following high school, Shirley worked for the State of Connecticut, Department of Public Health as a laboratory technician.
When Shirley met Gerry, he quickly became a member of her family and she of his family. They married in 1962 and made a life together devoted to each other and their growing family. In addition to her husband, Gerald, she is survived by her children, the Reverend Sandra L. Cosman of Ellington and Steven L. Cosman and his wife, Rochelle Schwartz Cosman, of South Windsor; four precious grandchildren, Allyson Lynn Cosman, Bailey Lloyd Cosman, James-Paul Cosman Forbes, and Jordan Jacob Cosman; four sisters, Pauline (Carl) Schaefer, Mary Wilson, Lois (Thomas) Valliere, and Gloria (David) Gourley; an aunt, Alice Jean Thomas; her priest and pastor, the Reverend Virginia Army, and many nieces, nephews, cousins and friends. Shirley was predeceased by her brother, Herbert Lloyd.
Shirley loved and was loved by children. She worked at Joy World Child Care with disadvantaged children in Rockville and found her true vocation working with Gerald L. Schwartz, MD, as a pediatric medical assistant for nearly twenty years. She was a fierce protector of children and a kind and compassionate supporter of young mothers.
Shirley was a woman of deep faith and a devoted member of St. John’s Episcopal Church in Vernon, where she was a member of the vestry, the Episcopal Church Women, a delegate to the Annual Convention of the Episcopal Church in Connecticut, and served many committees of the church. She was a member of the Hartford Chapter of the Companions of the Holy Cross, an order of women devoted to intercessory prayer, simplicity of life, and works of social justice and peace. Shirley was an early volunteer at the Cornerstone Soup Kitchen, the Maple Street Parent Teacher Association, and a supporter of Autism Speaks. She was a member of Citizens Opposed to a Radioactive Environment (CORE) and Citizens Opposed to Waste (COW) and trained in civil disobedience in response to the siting of a low-level radioactive waste facility in her community. She loved attending and watching UConn Women’s Basketball games.
Shirley never left the house without her lipstick, was generous in sharing advice and wise counsel, loved hosting her family for holidays and special dinners, and could drive from any seat in a car.
Shirley spent her final days not only with her family but also with Darla Brock, and Mona, Lisa, and Dorothy, her nurses and caregivers from the ECHN Visiting Nurse and Health Services.
She will be greatly missed.
Funeral Services and a celebration of Shirley’s life for those who loved her will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations to honor her life be made to St. John's Episcopal Church, 523 Hartford Turnpike, Vernon 06066.
When Shirley met Gerry, he quickly became a member of her family and she of his family. They married in 1962 and made a life together devoted to each other and their growing family. In addition to her husband, Gerald, she is survived by her children, the Reverend Sandra L. Cosman of Ellington and Steven L. Cosman and his wife, Rochelle Schwartz Cosman, of South Windsor; four precious grandchildren, Allyson Lynn Cosman, Bailey Lloyd Cosman, James-Paul Cosman Forbes, and Jordan Jacob Cosman; four sisters, Pauline (Carl) Schaefer, Mary Wilson, Lois (Thomas) Valliere, and Gloria (David) Gourley; an aunt, Alice Jean Thomas; her priest and pastor, the Reverend Virginia Army, and many nieces, nephews, cousins and friends. Shirley was predeceased by her brother, Herbert Lloyd.
Shirley loved and was loved by children. She worked at Joy World Child Care with disadvantaged children in Rockville and found her true vocation working with Gerald L. Schwartz, MD, as a pediatric medical assistant for nearly twenty years. She was a fierce protector of children and a kind and compassionate supporter of young mothers.
Shirley was a woman of deep faith and a devoted member of St. John’s Episcopal Church in Vernon, where she was a member of the vestry, the Episcopal Church Women, a delegate to the Annual Convention of the Episcopal Church in Connecticut, and served many committees of the church. She was a member of the Hartford Chapter of the Companions of the Holy Cross, an order of women devoted to intercessory prayer, simplicity of life, and works of social justice and peace. Shirley was an early volunteer at the Cornerstone Soup Kitchen, the Maple Street Parent Teacher Association, and a supporter of Autism Speaks. She was a member of Citizens Opposed to a Radioactive Environment (CORE) and Citizens Opposed to Waste (COW) and trained in civil disobedience in response to the siting of a low-level radioactive waste facility in her community. She loved attending and watching UConn Women’s Basketball games.
Shirley never left the house without her lipstick, was generous in sharing advice and wise counsel, loved hosting her family for holidays and special dinners, and could drive from any seat in a car.
Shirley spent her final days not only with her family but also with Darla Brock, and Mona, Lisa, and Dorothy, her nurses and caregivers from the ECHN Visiting Nurse and Health Services.
She will be greatly missed.
Funeral Services and a celebration of Shirley’s life for those who loved her will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations to honor her life be made to St. John's Episcopal Church, 523 Hartford Turnpike, Vernon 06066.