Margaret ‘Irene’ Cosgrove

Margaret “Irene” Cosgrove, 95, of Newport, Ore., died July 28, 2012 at her home. She was a lifelong resident of Lincoln County.

She was born Nov. 14, 1916 to John and Margaret (Freeman) Yasek in Toledo, Ore.

Irene graduated from Toledo High School in 1934. After graduation, she accepted a job at the Lincoln County Courthouse, which at that time was located in Toledo.

She married John Anthony Cosgrove on July 5, 1941. He had moved from Portland, Ore. and worked at the mill in Toledo. When the courthouse moved to Newport in 1955, Irene and John moved to Newport because Irene didn’t drive, and John could drive from Newport to his job in Toledo. Irene remained in that same house until her death. She also kept her job with the county for her entire career. She was the office manager for the Lincoln County Tax Department when she retired in 1989.

When John passed away in 1967, Irene decided that if she was going to remain independent, she would have to learn to drive. At the age of 51, she received her first driver’s license.

She enjoyed her travels to Europe. Irene appreciated the arts and music. She enjoyed big band music, reading, writing poetry and gardening. Having tea with family and friends was special to her. Irene was a parishioner at Newport’s Sacred Heart Catholic Church.

She was kind, generous, spunky and independent. She was resilient to life’s adversities, and when times were good, Irene enjoyed life to its fullest.

She was preceded in death by her husband, John Cosgrove; and her sister, Izetta Yasek Over.

She is survived by her niece, Tracie (Michael) Over-Duval, and their children, Stephen (Katie) Duval and Carter DuVal; and her nephew, Larry (Beth) Over and their children, Maggie, Gwen and John.

The family will hold a private memorial.

Bateman Funeral Home is handling arrangements.

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