Margaret Cosgrove Dayton - Spicer-Mullikin Funeral Homes & Crematory

Margaret Cosgrove Dayton

October 23, 1928 - January 3, 2015

Margaret Cosgrove Dayton, 86, longtime Newark resident, passed away peacefully surrounded by her family on January 3, 2015.

Born in Staten Island, NY to the late Thomas and Marion “Buddy” Cosgrove, Margaret was raised with her two sisters, Ellin and Mary Anne and two brothers Tom and John in Greenwich, CT. A graduate of the College of New Rochelle she was married in 1950 to the late Herbert S. Dayton, Jr.

She lived for her family. Between raising seven children, shuttling them between baseball games, swim team practice, and many other activities, she never missed having dinner on the table. She loved her family and enjoyed spending time at the beach with her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren. She also enjoyed tennis, playing bridge and reading.

After raising her children, Margaret put her practical experience and college degree together and began working for the State of Delaware in Child Protective Services. She worked with foster children and helped families in difficult situations.

She is survived by her children Spence(Carroll), Bob(Teri), Dick(Carroll), Liz(Rob), Jeff(Pat), Carol(Alan) and Margaret(Everett). She is also survived by her baby sister, Mary Anne Ridoux, 19 grandchildren, 13 great grandchildren and many nieces and nephews.

A viewing will be held from 6 pm until 8 pm on Sunday evening, January 11, 2015 at the Spicer-Mullikin Funeral Home, 121 West Park Place, Newark, DE. Mass of Christian Burial will be offered at 10:30 am on Monday morning, January 12, 2015 at Holy Family R.C. Church, 15 Gender Road, Newark, DE. Interment will follow in All Saints Cemetery, 6001 Kirkwood Highway, Wilmington, DE.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be sent to the ALS Hope Foundation, 1333 Race Street, Suite 202, P.O. Box 40777, Philadelphia, PA 19107.

Condolences

Leave your condolences

Condolences will be posted within 24 hours pending approval.

11 Condolences for Margaret Cosgrove Dayton

  • Dear Daytons All,

    I first want to extend Ned’s, Mary Faith’s, Kristen’s, Jenna’s, AJ’s, and my own deepest condolences. Please know that you are foremost in all our thoughts and prayers. As the first family of grandchildren to lose both of their parents/grandparents, we know all too well the pain and lose and grief journey that lies ahead of you all. If we could share some of what you will go thru, we would. But you see, the grieving process is unique to each individual and the relationship that they had with the loved one that has died. There are no magic words to say, no wand to wave. If there were such things, they would already be on their way to you.

    I can’t help but think of the family in heaven that now goes before us. They are to us – our people, our pets, our relationships, our pasts, our presents and our futures . We, as a family, have been blessed in far to many ways to count. We all have our special memories of each other, the good and challenging times and of this Cosgrove – Dayton – Carpenter and Ridoux Family. So loving, so giving, so welcoming, so forgiving, so caring, so complex, so fun, so smart, so open, so God fearing, so spiritual, so educated, so very crazy and yes, so wonderful. These families are who we are and who made us the people we have become. Would we really would have wanted it any other way? Perhaps sometimes, but not really.

    I did not see your Mom in November. Rich and I were about to go on vacation. Somehow I had a feeling that I might not see your mom again. Mary Anne told me that Marg was very tired and sleeping quite a bit. I decided to let the time be spent with Mary Anne. I made that choice in part, because the previous time your mom came to New Jersey, I had a very special visit with her. I was by myself (Marg had met Rich during an very prior meeting and had more than approved of him….SMILE). I was able to have a great conversation with your mom, asking many question that I was not able to ask my mom. Like, “Why did Mom spell her name ELLIN when no one else in the world does? (don’t know was the reply). Why does mom had the name Margaret Ellin on her 7/27/27 birth certificate (she doesn’t!! Yes, she does. Then I don’t know). We talked social work (I’m one too and I always love being with a kindred soul). We talked and talked about: my brother and sister, Rich, my girls and grandson, living in bizarre Lions Head South, work, me, life in general and just about everything else. Marg RAVED about Carroll and Mary Anne and how much they both meant to her. She spoke about each one of her children and how special you each were to her. I listened and learned. I also learned to be comfortable with your mom’s direct and straight forward self. I’ve even stolen a little bit for myself!!

    So thank-you all for sharing your mom during her journeys to New Jersey. I did not see her every time, but I do value the times we saw each other and talked. For you see, by Carroll giving of herself so very unselfishly (a true labor of love) to bring Marg to see and visit Mary Anne, and by all of you picking up the pieces at home to make the trips happen, I was given the utter joy and gift to not only know your mom better, but to connect with my mother as well. You will never know what those visits meant to me and will always mean to me. Thank-you.

    The boulders on your backs will take some time to shrink. One day in the future they will be but a pebble. The pebble will never leave, for the people we love always live in our hearts, but we always miss them. I can’t tell you when that day will come (it won’t be so soon) that the boulder is now a pebble, but it will come. Reach out to your support systems – people that care, people you trust, people that will listen and listen and listen and then listen even more, people that will walk besides you as companions, neither judging nor trying to fix you as you heal.

    If you need to talk, I’m here to listen. If you need to cry, I’m here to comfort. If you need to laugh or scream or just be silent, I’m here.

    A donation to the ALS foundation will be forecoming.

    We love you. My brother, sister and I hold you in our hearts and hands.

    Love and Godspeed,

    Jill

  • My sincere condolences to the entire Dayton Family.

  • My Condolences to the entire Dayton Family upon the passing of your beloved Mother …… A Kind & Lovely Lady…..Margaret & Herb raised a great Family …. My prayers are with you all ….. Peace be with you !

  • Sorry for your loss. Our deepest condolences and prayers are with you all.

  • Dear Cousins,
    Beth and I send our love and prayers to you all. We will keep you in our thoughts during this difficult time. Our very best to everyone.

    With love,
    Ned and Beth

  • Dear Dayton’s All,

    My heart reaches out to each of you and your spouses and expanding families with deep love and sympathy on Marg’ passing. She was a great sister. She and I really got to know each other later in our life’s journey. We traveled to Ireland (THANKS to my daughter_in_law, Denise) and we ventured out on a cruiise which were 2 things we thought we’d never do. Marg never wanted to cruise but she was already
    Planning another one before we even got off of the ship! Amazing the ship had room for all of our luggage!
    We returned to childhood when we spent 9 days at Disney Florida.She was a great travel companion and even shared an “Olympic Medal with me (ok so it was in Zombie Bowling at Woodloch Pines)
    These last few years Spence’s Carroll (?Spelling) drove Marg up to NJ. Those visits were so special to me…..accolades to Carroll for making sure it was such a special time!. I will miss greeting the two of them very much.
    Marg will always be a part of us and she will be able to watch over all of us free of all her pain and suffering. We all will always love her. God bless all of you and help you know she is Home where we all want to meet some day. Love you all! Baby Sister

  • Dear Dayton’s All,

    My heart reaches out to each of you and your spouses and expanding families with deep love and sympathy on Marg’ passing. She was a great sister. She and I really got to know each other later in our life’s journey. We traveled to Ireland (THANKS to my daughter_in_law, Denise) and we ventured out on a cruiise which were 2 things we thought we’d never do. Marg never wanted to cruise but she was already
    Planning another one before we even got off of the ship! Amazing the ship had room for all of our luggage!
    We returned to childhood when we spent 9 days at Disney Florida.She was a great travel companion and even shared an “Olympic Medal with me (ok so it was in Zombie Bowling at Woodloch Pines)
    These last few years Spence’s Carroll (?Spelling) drove Marg up to NJ. Those visits were so special to me…..accolades to Carroll for making sure it was such a special time!. I will miss greeting the two of them very much.
    Marg will always be a part of us and she will be able to watch over all of us free of all her pain and suffering. We all will always love her. God bless all of you and help you know she is Home where we all want to meet some day. Love you all! Baby Sister

  • Dear Carol and the entire Dayton family,

    My deepest condolences for your loss. I did not know Mrs. Dayton but if Carol is anything like her mother, she must have been a kind and wonderful person.

    In sympathy,
    Kim Umberger

  • Dear Dayton Family,
    My condolences to you all. I had the pleasure of working with your mother at the Division of Family Services. We both shared the passion of improving lives for children in foster care. She also happened to be the mother of one of my high school and college friends, Bobby- Bob now! Your mom was a delight to work with. I always felt a kinship with your family because we also have a large family of seven kids. I remember all of us at mass at Holy Angels, as was your family. My father passed last year. It will be difficult but know your mother impacted many lives and was admired by all. Sincerely, Kathy Keane Goldsmith

  • Dear Jeff and family,
    My deepest condolences to you and your family in the loss of your mother. May peace and comfort come to you quickly and your sweet memories soften the loss. You will be in our family’s prayers.
    Most sincerely,
    Debbie

  • Jeff:

    It’s been a long time since I met your mom down in South Bethany. You have my sincere condolences on the loss of your mom. Hope is not aware of your loss because her dementia was beyond my ability to manage and now she is in an assisted living facility. I wish you and your family comfort in knowing that your mom was a fine lady who gave her all to love and nurture your fine family. Be well…

    Michael Tyler