88 years ago, in the height of the Depression, Geraldine Ellen Cosgrove Darrow was born in Malone, New York. The first of six children, she was named after her maternal aunt, and her paternal grandmother. Her parents, Jeanne Proulx Cosgrove and J. Edward Cosgrove gave her strong bloodlines: half French and half Irish, and 100% ready for a good debate.

She grew up in Bombay, New York, a small town where winter ruled for much of the year. School was two doors away (except when she was sent off to be taught by nuns - which didn’t last for long) and everyone knew everyone. She played the piano and dreamed of being a concert pianist.

Geraldine attended the Crane School of Music at the State University College at Potsdam, New York. She soon realized that while she loved the piano, and loved to play the piano, being a concert pianist was not for her.

Geraldine moved away from the North Country, and began working at Syracuse University. It was there that she met James William Darrow and fell in love. They were married for 47 years, and had four children, Mary Jude, James (Dawn), Michael (Carol) and John (Melissa). They lived in Bombay, Albany, and West Hurley, New York.

It was while raising their brood that Gerry went back to college and completed her bachelors degree in education, then began working on her master’s degree in special education.

In 1977, Gerry and Jim were part of the Great Influx to Raleigh, North Carolina. IBM transferred Jim to work at the Research Triangle Park, along with thousands of other employees. It was a major change for them: they learned the meaning of y’all, that barbecue was not something slathered with a thick gooey sauce, and most importantly, that air conditioning was not a luxury. They also learned that it was possible to live without eight months of winter each year.

Over the years, Gerry and Jim’s family started growing. They were blessed with eight grandchildren; Patrick Arthur, Matthew William, Mary Ashley, Morgan Lee, Jeanne Marie (Lex), Ellen Marie, Delaney Faith and Conor James Darrow, and great-grandchildren Lilah and Colt Darrow.

In addition to her immediate family, Geraldine is survived by all of her siblings: Patricia Emerson, George Cosgrove (Frances), Robert Cosgrove (Connie), John Cosgrove (Kazumi) and Ward Cosgrove (Alejandra). She has 21 nieces and nephews who survive her, and great nieces and nephews galore.

Strong of opinion, Gerry was also strong in her faith. Her favorite phrase was “Thy will be done,” from the Our Father.

On Thursday, December 15, she passed from this life, and to her children’s everlasting sadness, she was alone. However, she was ready, she had made her peace with the Lord, and now she is with Jim. She had a good life, and a great family. What more could a person ask for?

A Requiem Mass will be presided over by the Rev. Msgr. David Brockmann at St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church on Wednesday, January 4, 2023 at 11:30 am. Visitation will be from 10:30 to 11:30 am. In lieu of flowers, please consider donations to St. Jude’s Childrens Hospital or Boys Town.