Blanche Marie (McNamara) Cogswell was born at home in Evanston on June 25, 1934, the fifth of eight children of the late Andrew Gregory and Cecilia (Poirier) McNamara. She spent her entire life in Evanston, where she married Joseph Alexander Cogswell “Alex”, her husband of nearly 40 years. Together, they raised four children in the close-knit community they loved, surrounded by family and lifelong friends.
Although Marie was not an avid traveler, she enjoyed family trips to Ontario with Alex in their younger years. She devoted countless hours to the family store and enjoyed playing bingo and attending card games. A passionate sports fan, she could often be found watching a game at the ballfield in Lower River or cheering on her favourite hockey team, the Boston Bruins, from home.
In her later years, Marie faced the challenges of dementia with the same quiet strength and resilience that characterized her life. While the disease gradually changed many things, it never diminished the love she had for her family or the special place she held in their hearts. Her family treasures memories of her strength and resiliency, especially in the last years of her life.
Marie was the last surviving member of her immediate family. She was predeceased by her parents; her husband, Alex; her sisters, Marguerite, Della (Jack) Proctor, and Pauline (Laughlin) Proctor; her brothers, Raymond (Valerie), Donald (Pauline), Theodore (Sarah), and Francis McNamara; and her granddaughter, Jolene Boudreau.
She is survived by her four children, Elaine Cook (Richard) of Whiteside; Andrew Cogswell of Evanston; Ernie Cogswell of Evanston and Raymond (Anne) Cogswell of Port Hawkesbury. She is also survived by her grandchildren, Carla (Boudreau) Arsenault (Doug) of Sydney River, Scott Boudreau (Nicole) of Fall River, Julie Boudreau (Ryan) of Fall River, Andre Boudreau (Dilcia) of Edmonton, Carrie Cogswell (Chris) of Country Harbour, Stephen Cogswell of Sampsonville, Jillian (Cogswell) Marchand (Joel) of Petit de Grat, Greg Cogswell (Jennifer) of Port Hawkesbury), and Brett Cogswell (Emily) of Port Hawkesbury.
Marie was blessed with 20 great-grandchildren, many of whom will fondly remember how she would sneak them cookies and treats. She is also survived by her sisters-in-law Shirley McNamara and Monica McCarthy, former son-in-law Gary Boudreau, former daughter-in-law Stephanie Brophy, and many nieces, nephews, and godchildren.
The family extends its heartfelt thanks to the staff and volunteers at St. Anne’s Centre in Arichat, where Marie spent the final years of her life. Their compassionate care, patience, and kindness throughout her journey with dementia brought comfort not only to Marie but also to her family, and their support will always be deeply appreciated.
Visitation will be held 6-8 p.m. on Monday, October 19, 2026 in Dennis Haverstock Funeral Home, 724 Granville St., Port Hawkesbury. Funeral mass will be held 11 a.m. Tuesday, October 20, 2026 in St. Francis de Sales Roman Catholic Church, 17 Church Rd., Lower River Inhabitants with Father Duncan MacIsaac officiating. Burial to following St. Patrick’s Cemetery, 1621 Whiteside Rd., Whiteside. A reception will follow in Riverside Community Centre, 106 Vince MacCarthy Dr., Lower River Inhabitants.
Memorial donations in memory of Blanche may be made to St. Patrick’s Cemetery Fund, Whiteside. Words of comfort may be forwarded to the family at: www.haverstocks.com
