Mary L. Cossar

Mary L. (McGurn) Cossar, 71, of Methuen, MA, passed peacefully at home to join the Heavenly Father on May 17, 2020, with her family by her side after a long illness. She was born on December 16, 1948, in Brookline, MA, to the late James and Louise (Creeley) McGurn.

First and foremost, Mary was a mother and wife to her family as family was paramount in her life. She was extremely proud of all her children and grandchildren. Her love of animals led her to become an advocate for animal rescue, which created a close friendship with Kelley French Pritchard at Adopt-A-Stray Rescue in Benton, AK. To say Mary enjoyed her life to the fullest is an understatement. She was always ready for any social activity or company, even on her toughest days. A teacher in the Methuen Public School Systems for many years, Mary made many friends who stood by her and offered her their support: Diane Ferraro, Marie Gauvin, and Christine Marchand, all of Methuen and notably Debbie “Little Debbie” Durgin of Hampstead, NH. She relished the time spent with friends old and new; her life-long best friends, Diane and Bill Sargent of Haverhill.

Mary was an amazing person, easy to talk to, and always said and did the right thing. It is through those lessons and tremendous love that Mary’s memory will live on in those who had the privilege of knowing her.

Predeceased by her husband, Russell W. Cossar, Mary is survived by her children: Russell S. Cossar and his wife, Michelle Proulx of Salisbury, Kathleen A. Faust and her husband, Gregory of Salem, NH, Shannon N. Leggat and her husband, Bruce of Methuen; her children-at-heart, Steven A. Shepard and his wife, Kimberly of Danville, NH, Charles E. Braman and his wife, Tina of Jacksonville, FL, and Scott M. Hayes and his wife, Rachel of Haverhill. She also leaves behind six grandchildren, Christopher E. Johnson, Matthew K. Johnson, Laurel J. Johnson, Kearstin M. Cossar Robey, Kaitlin M. Cossar and Rebeccah White; and great-grandchildren, Quinn T. Robey, Sierra, Annabel and Katrina White.

A celebration of life service for Mary will be held at a later time due to the current COVID-19 situation. For more information, please contact her family.