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Julia Graham

Julia “Josie” Josephine Syra Agnes Graham (Cosgrove), age 63, of Hudson, WI, formerly of Lakeland, MN & Seattle, WA, died suddenly and unexpectedly, on August 14, 2011, surrounded by her beloved family.  

Julia was born on June 8, 1948, the fourth daughter of the late Martin and Sheila Cosgrove, in County Kerry, Ireland.  She grew up in Melbourne, England where she attended St. Mary’s Park Convent.

On December, 27 1968, she married the love of her life, William Francis Graham (Buster), at the Church of the Immaculate Conception in Westminster, England.  They settled in Lakeland, Minnesota where they raised 2 daughters, Samantha and Brittany.  Josie was a daycare teacher in Seattle, WA, a banker, and worked at Corby’s restaurant in Hudson, WI.

Josie (or “Jo” as Bill knew her) had a zest for life.  She was passionate about traveling and planned to sail around the world with “Buster” after he retired.  She spent a great deal of time outside in her garden and taking care of her roses brought her a lot of joy.  There wasn’t a crossword puzzle Josie couldn’t complete and she was known to read a novel in one sitting.  She had a special place for the wild animals that shared her yard and she and Buster spent many hours watching, caring for, and feeding them.  Her grandchildren were the loves of her life and she enjoyed spending time teaching them about the importance of nature.  Josie was unique in every way and kept her friends and family on their “toes” right up until her passing. 

Josie is survived by her husband of 42 years, Bill; daughters, Samantha Sample (Chuck) of New Richmond, WI and Dr. Brittany Graham of Maritimes, Canada; grandchildren, Lillian, Sophia, and Henry Sample; siblings, Mary Kersley, Brenda Thorp (Denny), Rosari Dutton (Roger), and Tom Cosgrove, all from England; along with many nieces, nephews, extended family, and beloved friends.

She is preceded in death by her parents, Martin and Sheila Cosgrove, her sister Doreen Frazier, brother-in-law Ivan Kersley, mother-in-law Mary Peters, and beloved pet, Toby.

A private service will be held for Josie on Wednesday, August 17, 2011 at 11 a.m. at the O’Connell Family Funeral Home in Hudson, Wisconsin.  In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred. 

Funeral and Cremation services are entrusted to O’Connell Family Funeral Home of Hudson, WI.