Gloria Barbara Cosco (nee Newman) born in Croydon, Surrey England on March 3, 1925 passed away on February 21, 2016 in Grand Forks at Annesley Manor at Hardy View Lodge. Gloria was mother to Michele Caskey and had Don Caskey as her son-in-law. Michele and Don were by Gloria’s bedside as she left and was on a journey to meet with her sister.
Gloria was grandma to Megan Caskey (Cory Roy) residing in Vancouver and D’Arcy Caskey residing in Taipei, Taiwan, and grannie to great grandchildren, a girl Kestrel Roy, a boy Raven Roy and a boy Tanager Roy.
Gloria was predeceased by her father John Edward Newman(Jimmy) of Irish heritage, mother Beatrice Kathleen Newman (Babs) nee Bishop of English descent, sister Norma Constance Bellamy (nee Newman) and nephew Dennis Bellamy of Australia.
Jimmy, Babs, Gloria and Norma left England on the ship Ausonia for Canada in June of 1929. Then a train ride across Canada to live in Haney, B.C.
Gloria’s elementary and high school years happened in Haney. When in her teens, her family moved to Vancouver.
Gloria worked at the B.C. Telephone Company, married Joseph Cosco and had one daughter Michele Kathleen. Her marriage ended in divorce. Gloria took secretarial training at Vancouver Vocational School. She worked for the Income Tax Department for Revenue Canada and held various other jobs in her life.
She had a sunny disposition, was unselfish and generous, looked to the positive, liked to dance, loved classical music and big band music of the 1940’s. The words to music always meant more to her than the actual song. Gloria liked crafts and was an excellent knitter.
Michele was Gloria’s only child and she was definitely proud of her. Michele brought Gloria to Grand Forks in 2008 and she resided in Phoenix Manor (formerly Abbeyfield). Gloria considered Abbeyfield her home and her family.
On December 26, 2014 Gloria ended up in Boundary Hospital, then in January 2015 Gloria was in Rezansoff Manor, at Hardy View Lodge and her last residence was Annesley Manor from the fall of 2015 to February 21, 2016.
Gloria’s grandchildren and great grandchildren visited her within the last two weeks of her life and said goodbye. Michele spent the last 6 days of Gloria’s life with Gloria at Annesley Manor with husband Don’s support. Hospice volunteers helped and Louise and Cynthia gave timely advice. Gloria was called “Morning Glory” by many of the staff and Gloria said the staff were angels.
Gloria’s wishes are to be cremated and interred with her father, mother and sister Norma in Mountain View Cemetery, Vancouver B.C. A plaque with be created with Gloria and sister Norma’s names on it. There will be a graveside tribute in the summer when all her family can be present.
A memorial tribute to Gloria will be held at Phoenix Manor on Wednesday, March 30, 2016 at 2.00 p.m.
A sincere thank you to the staff of Phoenix Manor, and the Hardy View Lodge manors Rezansoff and Annesley. Home care support, nursing and care staff has been greatly appreciated along her journey. Exceptional staff was with Gloria at Annesley Manor and made Gloria comfortable and helped support Michele and Don in Gloria’s last days. Thank you to Dr. Merry, Dr. Coleshill, Deb at Grand Forks Funeral Home and Cremation Centre Ltd., The Memorial Society and
the staff at the Grand Forks Credit Union.
Gloria would say the words of John Lennon’s song “Let It Be”.