Obituary of Esther Doreen Cogswell

The family of Esther ‘Doreen’ Cogswell are announcing her homegoing May 25, 2024 while in hospital in Moncton. Born on March 23, 1933 to parents Hartley and Violet Hayward, Doreen lived her early life in Golden Grove. As a young woman, she chose teaching as her profession in Musquash and Maces Bay, where she met her future husband, Harry Cogswell. They married on July 29, 1954 and their life adventure began. Together they had five children Cecil (Jayne), Hartley (Linda), Bruce (Peggy), Diane (Jim, now reunited with Doreen), and Darlene. They made their home primarily in Lepreau.

Doreen would tell everyone that her real life began when she was introduced to eternal life in Christ through the television ministry of Rex Humbard. From that point forward she began attending church in Little Lepreau, later transitioning to Fundamental Baptist in Saint John, where she became a dedicated Sunday School teacher. Later in life, she moved to Mississauga, Ontario to live with her oldest son, where she took on more dedicated Sunday School teaching and training of others, a vibrant ministry to many women and an enthusiastic evangelist to anyone who would receive one of her tracts explaining the Gospel of Jesus. Doreen read her Bible from start to finish every year faithfully. She wore a few Bibles out from her detailed study. At one point, she decided to write two ‘commentary style’ books on Psalms and Proverbs.  Her passion for telling people about their need for salvation never waned from her time of conversion to her recent stay in the hospital. In the 90’s she moved to Moncton, New Brunswick where she became a faithful member of Jones Lake Baptist Church. Wherever she was – her intent was to serve the Lord and to make His name known.

She was a joy-filled, cheerful, positive Christ follower throughout her life. Her faithfulness to her family and to her blessed Lord and Saviour is widely known to all who crossed paths with her.

While we will miss her birthday singing, her daily prayers and her hugs – we are not sorrowing as those without hope. Her heart’s desire was to be united with Jesus – and her heavenly journey has begun. Her children, her many grandchildren and great-grandchildren will miss her deeply – but her legacy of love in Christ has reached all our families and we are forever changed because of our faithful mother.

Arrangements are under the care of Castle Fallsview Funeral Home, 309 Lancaster Ave, Saint John, NB E2M 2L3, 506-634-1701. Visitation be held on Thursday, May 30 from 2:00 PM – 4:00PM and 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM. A Funeral Service will take place on Friday, May 31 at 11:00 AM at Fundamental Baptist Church on Sand Cove Road, Saint John, NB. Interment will follow in Cedar Hill Extension Cemetery. In lieu of flowers donations in Doreen’s memory can be made to Jones Lake Baptist Church (Moncton, NB), Fundamental Baptist Church or a charity of the donor’s choice.