Ethel Mae Cogswell, had generous spirit

Ethel May Cogswell (Sullivan), 88, of Millsboro, formerly of the Washington, D.C. area,  died Monday, Sept. 2, 2013, in Lewes.
Mrs. Cogswell was born in Washington, D.C., daughter of the late Theodore and  Ruth (Lindsey) Sullivan.  She was raised and attended school in South East District of Washington, D.C. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband of 67 years, James I. Cogswell;  her oldest daughter Judi; two brothers, James and Wallace Sullivan; and one sister, Maggie (Sullivan) Fowler.
She married James I. Cogswell Aug. 18, 1943, and began their life together living and working in the Washington area until retiring and re-locating to the Lewes area, where they  made their permanent home.  Before retiring to Lewes she worked at a large real estate office (Walker & Dunlop) in Washington, D.C. and later helped out at a jewelry store in Rehoboth Beach. She always liked to keep busy.  During their life together they raised two daughters, Judith L. Kay (Cogswell) and husband Bob, and Nancy L. Kossow (Cogswell) and husband Michael.
Ethel was a very devoted wife and mother who always enjoyed her family and friends. She especially enjoyed working in her yard and planting all her flowers and plants. Of her many hobbies she loved to sew, where she made doll clothes for everyone's dolls and dolls she collected. She also collected stamps and coins.  As an avid reader she often times would read a book a day. She loved to shop and was always looking for things for everyone else. Feeding wild birds and watching them and cats was one of her favorite pastimes. Sitting at the Boardwalk and watching the people pass by, especially children and babies, brought her great contentment.
She was a devoted Christian and member of St. Peter's Episcopal Church in Lewes for 35 years where she helped with everything, from dinners, fund raising, cleaning, or any work that needed to be done.  She genuinely loved her faith and always did good for everyone.  She knew, she was a very valued mother, friend and confidante for many.
She truly enjoyed life and playing cards or games with her grandchildren as well as traveling.  Whether it was going to Virginia to visit her daughter or to upper Michigan to visit her other daughter, she would be packed days ahead.
Mrs. Cogswell had a generous spirit and gave freely of herself and anything she had, if it was what someone needed.  She provided a strong example of a faith filled life and will be missed by all who knew her.
She is survived by her daughter Nancy; grandchildren Brian Kay (and wife Daivie), Lt. Col. David Reynolds and wife Jennifer, and Angela Osterloh and husband Jim; great-grandchildren Alyssa and Hannah Kay, Cole and Allison Osterloh, and Ava and Audrey Reynolds.
Memorial services will be held Friday Oct. 4, at 1 p.m., at St. Peter's Episcopal Church, Second Street, Lewes.
Arrangements made by Parsell Funeral Homes, Lewes.