Melbourne News

Centenary Celebrations for Kathleen Cosgriff

Thursday 4 October 2012

By Veronica F. Cosgriff

MRS Kathleen Cosgriff, the mother of Niddrie Parish Priest Father Brian Cosgriff, turned 100 years old on Sunday 30 September.
 
The celebration of this grand event took the form of a Eucharistic Celebration for family and friends in the Chapel at St Joseph´s Home for the Aged (Little Sisters of the Poor) in Northcote, where Kathleen resides, and was followed by a small reception in the hall.

Mrs Cosgriff lived in the hostel at St Joseph´s for 14 years, until recently when her vision deteriorated, and was an extremely active member of the activities and events that took place there.  

One of the staunchest Collingwood supporters at St Josephs, Kathleen still follows the football fixture avidly, and submits her footy tips weekly. She also listens attentively to the sports broadcasts to keep up with the news.

Mrs Cosgriff and her husband Michael (who died in 1969) have 11 children, 40 grandchildren and 53 great grandchildren. She and her family have always been faithful members of the Catholic Parishes they have attended including Port Melbourne, Clifton Hill, Preston, and West Preston. 

Having reached the grand age of 100, Kathleen is still impressed by the enormous faith her parents instilled in her, the same faith she has shared with her immediate family and her own children over the years, as they have faced the crosses that life brings.

One of her favourite stories about the power of prayer is that she almost died at just two years old from pneumonia. As her life hung in the balance in hospital, her older sisters (just 4 and 8 years older than her) were at home praying Hail Marys for her recovery. 98 years on and she is an excellent example of God´s mercy and love, still going strong.

Her two older sisters are no longer alive, although one did live to be 99 and a half.  Kathleen’s younger sister who is 98 is the only remaining member of her immediate family

Of her own 11 children three have predeceased her. Her daughter Marlene died in 1978 at the age of 40, son Bernard died suddenly last year aged 53, and just last month Kathleen lovingly attented the funeral of her daughter Denise, 63, who died after a very short illness.
Kathleen has borne these sad events by placing her trust in God and turning to Him for comfort in her sorrow.  She remarked recently that it seemed difficult to reach 100.
 
Kathleen was not particularly interested in reaching the century a few year back, but with all the support and loving care she has been shown by her family, friends, and in particular by the nuns (The Little Sisters of the Poor) and staff at St Joseph´s Home, she is very excited about this achievement, and continues to leave her life in God´s hands.

 Her family and friends are very proud of this wonderful achievement, and they thank God that Kathleen is alert, optimistic and still retains her sense of humour as she puts her faith in God.

Even now she walks the hallways and attends daily Mass, singing hymns and answering the parts of the Mass (even the new revised edition) with gusto.

Kathleen believes that her secret to a long life lies in not drinking alcohol or smoking cigarettes.

This article was submitted by Kathleen´s daughter Veronica Frances Cosgriff.

Photo by Veronica Cosgriff: Kathleen Cosgriff, her son Adrian Cosgriff, his son Mark Cosgriff, and his son Ky Cosgriff.