Obituary of Frances R. Coss

Frances R. Coss, age 86, of Southbury, beloved wife of the late John F. Coss, died peacefully on January 30, 2020 at the Milford Health & Rehab Center. Born in Derby on July 9, 1933, she was the daughter of the late Frank J. and Rose Geary Cushner. Mrs. Coss was raised in Ansonia, a graduate of Ansonia High School, earned a Bachelor’s of Science of Nursing from University of Bridgeport and a Master’s of Science from Southern CT State University. Mrs. Coss was a proud U.S. Army Veteran of the Korean War, where she served as a 1st Lieutenant in the Army Nurse Corps. Mrs. Coss was a member of the Military Order the of the Purple Heart Ladies Auxiliary. She was a dedicated advocate to advance nursing education and was a nursing Professor at Quinnipiac University for over ten years, until the time of her retirement. She is survived by her devoted daughters, Terry Carlington and Deirdre Gruber of West Haven; and cherished grandchildren, Killian and Gaylen Gruber of West Haven. In addition to her husband of 46 years, she was predeceased by a sister, Bernice Wells. A Mass of Christian Burial, Meeting Directly at Church, will be celebrated on Wednesday, February 5, 2020 at 10:00 AM in the Church of the Assumption, 61 North Cliff Street, Ansonia. Interment will follow in the CT State Veterans Cemetery, Middletown, CT. Memorial contributions may be made to the Military Order of the Purple Heart Service Foundation, Inc., 7008 Little River Turnpike, Annandale, VA 22003, www.purpleheartfoundation.org. The Wakelee Memorial Funeral Home, 167 Wakelee Avenue, Ansonia is in care of arrangements. Online condolences may be made at www.wakeleememorial.com.