Obituary of Louise Cosman

The family of (Naomi) Louise Cosman announces her death at the Sussex Hospital on Nov 18, 2023, with much sadness. She was just 8 weeks shy of her 87 th birthday.

Louise was born in Kierstead Mountain on Jan 15, 1937, the second daughter of Joseph and Bernice Mason.

Louise is survived by her husband Douglas Cosman and her four children: Vaughn Cosman, Mary Cosman (Dave Rose), Gail Cosman (David Feldstein) and Valerie Austin (David Austin); her 5 grandchildren: Mark Cormier, Nathan Cosman, Sarah Cormier, Tessa Cosman and William Austin; and her 4 great grandchildren: Peyton Hunt, Benjamin Hunt, Bryce Cormier and Elodie Cormier. Louise is also survived by 4 of her 6 siblings: Connie Hayes, Fred Mason, Ann Smit and John Mason.

Louise is predeceased by two siblings: Bert Mason and Marilyn Phinney and her parents Joseph and Bernice Mason.

Louise’s early years were spent in Carsonville, growing up on a thriving farm that at different times had dairy cattle, horses, chickens, turkeys, guinea fowl, and pigs. As the second oldest child, Louise was frequently the cook and baker for the family and babysitter for the younger children. Louise graduated from the Head of Millstream school and was recognized for the highest math score in the province in her graduating year. She attended Teachers College in Fredericton, earning her Teacher’s Certificate. She returned to the Head of Millstream school to teach, helping her future husband graduate.

Louise and Douglas were married July 5th, 1957, at the Mason family home. As Douglas completed his education and joined first the United Church of Canada and later the Royal Canadian Air Force, Louise first taught school, and then went to Acadia completing her Bachelor of Education. Their lives involved moving every few years as Douglas’s career as a Chaplain involved frequent transfers. Over the next 25+ years, Louise’s life included family (4 children were born in rapid succession between April 1959 and July 1963), travelling (she lived in 6 provinces, and in West Germany, and visited most countries in Western Europe, UK, Kenya, China, the USA) and teaching (she taught math, and computer sciences, among other topics, in the many places that she and Douglas lived, including West Germany). As the children grew and became more independent, Louise had time to take on other interests, including many crafts.

In 1987, Louise and Douglas retired and moved back to the Sussex area to support aging parents and explore 2 nd careers. For Louise, this included purchasing the Apohaqui Inn Bed and Breakfast in 1992 and the Covered Bridge Inn in Sussex in 1999. Louise was well known for her hospitality including hostessing dinners, Christmas show homes, participating in many church and community suppers, UCW groups, and other community activities, as well as the occasional quilting or other handiwork and her regular bridge games. During this time Louise and Douglas first lived in Apohaqui and then in Roachville. Finally, Louise and Douglas decided to retire in 2018 to their current home on 29 Meadow Lane.

Over the last 5 years they have enjoyed continuing community and church involvement, always eager for a supper out somewhere, with conversation, laughter, good friends and family. Towards the end of her life, Louise spent several weeks in both the Saint John General Hospital and the Sussex Hospital. The family is grateful for all the support she was given during this time, by family, friends, health care staff, and the broader community.

Louise’s family was her great joy and she loved bringing smiles to the faces of her grandchildren and great grandchildren.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Wallace Funeral Home, 34 Sunnyside Drive, Sussex, NB (506-433-1176) from where a visitation will take place on Friday, November 24 from 1-3 and 6-8pm. A celebration of Louise’s life will be held from St. Paul's United Church on Saturday, November 25, 2023 at 11am. The interment will take place at Union Cemetery Head of Millstream, NB immediately following.

Donations in memory of Louise may be made to the Heart and Stroke Foundation, Union Cemetery (Head of Millstream), St. Paul's United Church UCW or a charity of the donor’s choice. Personal condolences to the family and donations may be made through wallacefuneralhome.com