NORMAN — Funeral services for Carmella Cosgrove, age 86, of Norman, will be 3 p.m. today in Havenbrook Funeral Home chapel, 3401 Havenbrook St. in Norman, with Rev. Bruce Ingram officiating.
Carmella was born Oct. 15, 1928, in Old Forge, Pa., the daughter of Joseph and Lydia (Cincelli) Dellasandro. She passed away Saturday morning, Feb. 2, 2013, at the Norman Regional Hospital.
Carmella was raised in an orphanage and enjoyed pushing the envelope, which at times caused her to get into a little bit of trouble. She enjoyed spending time with the boys in the orphanage so much that she cut her hair and changed her clothes in order to make it to the other side of the orphanage where the boys lived. Needless to say, Carmella had too much fun with the boys and the orphanage moved her to the Convent house, where she lived for the next two years. She didn’t conform to the ways of the Convent house very well, so at the age of 17, she escaped to begin her life, cleaning houses to take care of herself.
Carmella enjoyed the party scene, often making her way to “speak easies” where there was gambling, drinking and dancing. For a first-class, beautiful young woman of the 1920s, Carmella could “hold her own” and was a tough match for any man. She enjoyed fast motorcycles, often hitching up chains to outhouses, pulling them completely down.
Somewhere along the way, Carmella met Mr. John Loner and the two of them were married. From this relationship, her son, Mario, was born. It wasn’t long until Carmella was ready to move on with her life, and she did without John. She later met and married Mr. Edward Corrigan and together, they had a daughter, Susan. Just like John, Edward couldn’t tame Carmella, and the two of them parted ways.
In 1966, Carmella moved to New Jersey to live with her sister, Susan Custode, enjoying life with her until 1988, when Carmella met and married Leslie Cosgrove. It was Les that fulfilled Carmella. The two of them enjoyed life together in Florida. He truly treated her like a lady, wining and dining her with beautiful sunset beaches and experiencing the romance of true love. They lived very happily together for the next 13 years before Les passed away in 2001.
Afterward, Carmella’s daughter, Sue, moved to Florida to be with her, remaining there until moving to Norman in 2006.
Carmella will be remembered as a “Red Dress Kind of Girl.” She was free spirited and always looking for a great time. She loved hugs and kisses and enjoyed being with family and friends.
She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Leslie Cosgrove; her son, Mario Dellasandro; and one brother, James Dellasandro.
Survivors include her daughter, Sue Dellasandro and her wife Lawana of Norman; her grandson, Joseph Dellasandro; one brother, Rocco Dellasandro of Rhode Island; and her sister, Susan Custode of Maybrook, N.Y.
Arrangements for Carmella and her family were placed in the care of the Vice family at the Havenbrook Funeral Home in Norman.
Online condolences may be shared at www.havenbrookfuneralhome.com.
Norman Transcript, Tuesday, Feb. 5, 2013
For local news and more, subscribe to The Norman Transcript Smart Edition, or our print edition.
Man Who Disrupted Flight Ranted About CIA
Feds: 7-Eleven Stores Exploited Immigrants
Fla. Teen Catches Ride With Whale Shark
G8 Leaders Huddle on Syria
Raw: Obama, Putin Meet at G8
Iran's Rowhani Urges 'Path of Moderation'
Daughter: Mandela Doing 'Very Well'
Investigators Probe Origin of Colo. Wildfire
Ex-NFL Star Chad Johnson Out of Jail
'Game of Thrones' Boosts N. Ireland
Raw: Prince Philip Leaves Hospital After Surgery
Zimmerman Jury Selection Turns to Media Exposure
Raw: FBI Meets Plane After Poison Threat
Family Tweets Say Kim Kardashian Gives Birth
US, EU Leaders Announce Free Trade Talks
