MADISON- It is with profound sadness that we announce the passing of Marilyn Cossette on March 17, 2024, at the age of 84, surrounded by her loving family. She was born on May 18, 1939, in Tacoma, Wash.

Marilyn met her husband, Clarence, in her home state of Washington while he was on leave from the service. They married, moved to North Dakota and started their family. Eventually they moved back to the west (Oregon) for a short while before moving to Madison, Wis

Marilyn devoted her life to raising her four children, Wendy, Dean, Todd and Tracey. She embraced the role of grandmother to Nikki, Morgan, Adam, Ryan, Dakota, Dalton, Cole and Lauren; as well as great-grandmother to Casen, Beck, Desmond and Sydney.

She was her happiest when traveling either with her husband, Clarence, to tropical vacation spots or with her family to Alaska and Disneyland, or to visit her children as they started lives elsewhere (Todd and Mary in California and Colorado, Tracey and Denny in Missouri).

Marilyn was a perfectionist. Her living spaces (and there were many as she did love to move around) were always immaculate and tastefully furnished. She expected the best from herself and never settled for less. She loved Babcock Ice Cream, Rocky Rococo Pizza and Jazz music.

Marilyn was preceded in death by her parents, Cecilia and Mike Vargo; her ex-husband, Clarence Cossette; and tragically, her son, Todd Cossette. She is survived by her children, Wendy (Todd) Borenstein, Dean (Amy) Cossette and Tracey (Dennis) Byers; daughter-in-law, Mary Cossette; grandchildren; Nikki, Morgan, Adam, Ryan, Dakota, Dalton, Cole and Lauren; great-grandchildren; Casen, Beck, Desmond and Sydney; sister, Sandy Noffsinger; and nieces, Lisa and Shelly.

Her loss is deeply felt by all who knew her. She was a private person however often mentioned the close friends that she enjoyed in her later years: Barbara Bryce, Carolyn, Mary Anne and Rebekka. She would talk about them often.

A private remembrance will be held for immediate family members to honor her memory.

If mom has a theme song of her life it would have been Frank Sinatra’s “My Way.” She also had a special prayer she kept close to her at all times:

To St. Raphael, The Archangel

Glorius Archangel St. Raphael,

great prince of the heavenly

court, you are illustrious for your

gifts of wisdom and grace. You

are a guide of those who journey

by land or sea or air, consoler of

the afflicted, and refuge of sinners.

I beg you, assist me in all my

needs and in all the sufferings of

this life, as once you helped the

young Tobias on his travels.

Because you are the “medicine of

God,” I humbly pray you to heal

the many infirmities of my soul

and the ills that afflict my body.

I especially ask of you the favor

(name it) and the great grace of

purity to prepare me to be the

temple of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Online condolences may be made at www.gundersonfh.com.

Gunderson East

Funeral & Cremation Care

5203 Monona Drive

(608) 221-5420

Marilyn D. Cossette

May 18, 1939 - March 17, 2024

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