Edwina Cosgriff

Edwina Cosgriff was born on September 23rd, 1930 in Brooklyn, NY. She was a proud Fontbonne Hall alumni and active member of  St. Patrick’s parish in Bay Ridge. She met the love of her life, the late Gene Cosgriff in 1950 at a dance hall in Coney Island. Gene and Edwina were married on September 24, 1950 in Brooklyn, NY. They went on to have 11 children before moving to Staten Island in 1964. They then went on and had 3 more children. Bringing the grand total to 14 kids. Nine boys and Five girls. Edwina enjoyed life as a homemaker as well as being actively involved in St. Joseph-St. Thomas parish in Pleasant Plains.

In 1972 Edwina and her late husband Gene among other Staten Islanders formed the activist group know as BLAST to prevent the LNG tanks in Rossville from being filled with dangerous liquefied natural gas. After a long 13 year legal battle they secured legislation that prevented the storage of LNG in populated areas as well as a ban in New York City. Edwina was awarded the Staten Island Advance “Women of Achievement” award in 1985 for her work in BLAST.  Edwina and her late husband continued their work in the National ProLife movement and served as the Respect Life Vicariates of the Archdiocese of NY. In her golden years she enjoyed camping, square dancing, shopping for gifts for her grandchildren, going to mass, and spending time with family.

She is survived by her loving children. Stephen, Eugenia Schubert, Ave Maria Hurley, Patrick, Timothy, Kerry, Lillian Hobson, Christopher, Elizabeth O'Regan, Edward, Sean, Michael,  Bridget Lillo and John. Also survived by forty-three grandchildren and forty-one great grandchildren. She will be missed by all.