Obituary

Mrs. Joan E. (Vangel) Cosgrove, a lifelong Somerville resident, passed away surrounded by the love of her family on September 10, 2024, she was 90. Born and raised in Somerville she was the only daughter of Ellen J. (MacDonald) and James Vangel. Known affectionately as “Joanie” by her family and friends, she was the beloved wife of the late Charles M. Cosgrove.

A devoted wife, mother and grandmother, Joanie worked for Mass General Hospital for many years in their records department. In earlier years, she was an active member of the James A. Logan Post with her husband Charlie. She enjoyed Bingo, reading, and watching sports; especially tennis. But above all she treasured her time spent with her family.

She was the devoted mother of Karen Cosgrove of Reading, Chuck Cosgrove and his wife Nancy of Hingham, Kelly Crowley and her husband Kevin, Colleen Leach and her husband Mark, Chrissy Kewley and her husband Steven all of Londonderry, NH, Kerry Earley and her husband Mark of Stoughton and the late Catherine Hughes and her late husband Thomas, and a “second mother” to family friend Karen (KB) Rich and her husband Shawn. Cherished Nanny of Colleen, Patrick, Kevin and Connor Hughes, Charlie, William and Erin Cunningham, Charlie, Casey and Megan Cosgrove, Shannon and Ryan Crowley, Mark, Jr., Maryellen, Chad and Collin Leach, Michaela and Mackenzie Kewley, Billy, Caitlin and the late Emily Carreiro. Great-Nanny of Valerie Trahan. Joan was the dear sister of the late James and Francis Vangel.

A private burial service for Joanie will take place at Puritan Lawn Cemetery in Peabody where she will be laid to rest with her beloved husband Charlie.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Joan’s memory to the St. Jude Children’s Hospital at http://www.stjude.com or to the Jimmy Fund at http://www.jimmyfund.org