Margaret Mary Ryan Coskey
October 4, 1900 - September
7, 1990
(Grandmom)
(wife of Joseph Michael Coskey Sr.)
Read a
Tribute by Kim Read a Poem
by Linda
Read a Poem
by Nicole
~Written by Linda Johnson England
During the holidays last year, my son, Brian, had a school project
to interview an older 
relative. He chose Grandmom. He got an "A",
and also a special mention because out of the whole class, he had the oldest relative.
Grandmom was old in years, but not in her mind. How many times did she give us a scare by disappearing for a few days? "Oh", she'd say, "I took a bus to the casinos", or "I was with the senior citizens on a trip".
Grandmom was never feeble. She could run as fast as any youngster who was unlucky enough to eat in front of her. That child would be the recipient of the beloved wet wash cloth until she was absolutely certain those hands were no longer "sticky". Can anyone venture a guess as to how many pineapple cheesecakes Grandmom baked in her lifetime? Do you remember playing "how many kids can fit on the backyard glider"? When that got boring, one could always relax in Grandpop's hammock with a cousin or two.
Do you remember Choo-Choo, their dog? -hard to believe that Grandmom ever cohabitated with a dog! She would swear dogs existed solely to torment her. Do you remember the Easter Egg Hunts, the ivy on the side of the house, and going over to see the chickens at Johnny's? How about the candy malted balls in the closet, Lawrence Welk, the children's table at Thanksgiving, and Grandmom's oyster stuffing? And who can forget staying overnight with Retsey and the guitar Masses in the church basement?
Who else could put up with her brood of 7, their spouses, and all the grandkids every Sunday? Or how many 90-year-old ladies do you know who could remember all the grandchildren's and great grandchildren's names (sixty one so far), let alone their birthdays, who was making Communions or Confirmations, or graduating, or whose baby was due on a certain date-all from memory. Grandmom stayed involved in all our lives-she saw to that-she was active and involved, and it kept her young.
We can learn through her example-to use our time wisely, honor God, and live life to the fullest. she proved to us all that it can be done.
The woman we thought would live forever is gone from us, but she lives on in a better world. Every time I see a box of moth balls or a bottle of Witch Hazel, I will think of Grandmom. Grandpop's restful peace will never be the same again.
Tribute To Margaret Mary
Ryan Coskey
by Kim Davis Burger
Grandmom, born at the turn of the century, but living each day as the modern woman - she didn't live in the past, and yet, what a past she had! Grandmom was exposed to two world wars, Lindbergh's flight over the Atlantic, the invention of home electricity (thank God - what would she have done without the radio?), the telephone, (she did own stock in the company, didn't she?), indoor plumbing, a woman's right to vote, and 17 Presidents in the past 90 years! Yet, rarely did she discuss the "good old days". She lived for the moment, enjoying any task of modernism she could clench...casino lady to the end.
As we sit to recollect our memories of her, we find it amazing how 1 person could have touched so may individual lives in endless little ways. She made such a heartwarming impact on our growing years, and it is those memories that will keep her alive as we grow old-sharing family history with our children.
"Grandmom"
by Linda Johnson England
Strong and proud she stood in life
for almost ninety years.
Our Matriarch, my Grandmom,
deserves applause and cheers.
To live as long as she did,
in good health ''til the end,
To tackle life with gusto,
is something to commend.
While Grandmom had her moments,
(not to disagree was best),
she had a warm and loving side
that outshined all the rest.
Today she is with Jesus,
safe in her heavenly berth,
with Grandpop, Uncle Ed, and Bill
again, as was on Earth.
Mother, Grandmom, in-law, friend,
she played these many parts.
We never will forget her.
She's forever in our hearts.
To Grandma
by Nicole Cavallaro Velde
Grandma we will
miss you in everything you've done
For you have really
shown us all just what can be.
We always knew where
to find you on a sunny day,
shopping at the mall or
playing cards some way.
Birthdays and
special occasions you
could never forget like
the snap of a finger you
knew just when it was at.
Now it is your
turn, Grandma, to have
your rest and look upon
us all as your little nest.
We thank you for
the memories you have
brought to us, for there
will never be a Grandma
who means just as much.
God has called
upon you to follow in
His gates as you will
meet your husband,
Grandpa, as he waits.
We will miss you,
Grandma, but now you
must lay and look upon
us all from heaven far away.
