Rosaleen Elizabeth Cosby

Born in Glasgow, Scotland, to Rosina (née Hickson) and William Cooke, Rosaleen spent her childhood in London before embarking on a life that took her across continents. Adventurous from the start, she travelled widely as a young woman and built a career in the executive offices of Hughes Aircraft Company, working in Belgium, Switzerland, and Turkey. It was in Izmir, Turkey, that she met her husband, Jack.

Her deep passion for the fine arts and architectural conservation led her to earn a BA from Camberwell College of Arts in London, followed by an MA from the University of Bath. After making her home in the United States in 1989, she channeled that love into her work as a docent - first at the Textile Museum in Washington, D.C., and most recently at the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts, where she shared her knowledge and enthusiasm with all who crossed her path.

Rosaleen is survived by her husband Jack (John) and her sister Morag. A devoted mother and grandmother, she leaves behind her daughters Elizabeth (Filippo Ghia) and Vanessa (Guillaume Coste), and her four adoring grandchildren: Maxim, Valentina, Eloise, and George.

She was full of life, love, and light. She will be dearly missed.