Irene Cosmos

Bellingham, WA I first met my friend Irene in the winter of 1990 here in Bellingham. While tending my jewelry booth at an Allied Arts Christmas fair downtown, I noticed a woman walking towards me, very slowly and a bit winded. She wore brightly colored clothing and had on a most interesting, unique hat. She asked me if she could sit down in the chair next to my booth and of course I said yes. That was the beginning of our long, sweet, trusting friendship. From then on, Irene and I would often meet for lunch somewhere downtown and at the Saturday Farmers Market where I participated as an artist vendor. She would occasionally help me out by tending my booth, enabling me to take a break, enjoy the market, and visit with other artists. Being an artist herself, she appreciated the value, contribution, and richness that art brings to our lives and to the community. I always welcomed Irenes company! We seemed to have so much to talk about and share. Whether it was art, politics, people, philosophy, the days events, whatever, we truly enjoyed each others company and input. How I would describe Irene is much like the sign she was born under, Sagittarius! She was vibrant, curious, engaging, insightful, philosophical, and very frank. She would tell you what she thought and why, in a very honest, straightforward manner, whether you liked it or not sometimes. During holidays, my family would invite Irene to our home in Fairhaven. We all enjoyed many Christmas Eves together and my children and friends came to know her and like her. As I mentioned earlier, Irene was an artist. She painted in acrylic and had a fine body of work that hung in her home. I had the pleasure of taking some community painting workshops with Irene and learned about color and composition from sitting next to her. We also experimented in enameling on copper and I will always remember Irene wearing one of her pieces hanging from her neck. Along with art, music was a real love in her life, especially classical music. Her knowledge was quite vast on this subject and she took pride in knowing many great musical pieces. Edith Piaf, the popular French singer, was also a favorite of Irenes. Irene read and was intrigued by the teachings and perspective of Carl Jung. I enjoyed many conversations with her regarding Jungs philosophy and thoughts about the human experience. After I moved from Fairhaven, I didnt see Irene as much and usually when I did it was at Haggens market. She had her special friends who would often meet her for lunch. I know this meant a great deal to Irene as it was important to her to be out and about, interacting with others every day. I will miss my dear friend Irene Cosmos and I am very grateful to have been with her as she passed on into the great cosmos. She left with much dignity, courage, and grace, the same way she tried to live her life. Judith Gauthier Entering the Fairhaven Haggen grocery soon after moving to Bellingham, I noticed a vibrant elderly lady holding court in the dining area. She wore brightly-colored clothes and a perky hat on her exuberant head of gray hair, and she drove an oversized wheelchair with a red flag waving behind. Always welcoming to friends and strangers alike, Irene asked if Id like to join the crew for coffee. Six years later, the group became for me, as it was for Irene, extended family. She ate lunch there nearly every day, provisioned with two newspapers to supply discussion topics and crossword challenges. She preferred face-to-face interaction to digital technology, shared her strongly-held opinions with all and sundry, and loved a lively debate. Though she could no longer travel the town on her beloved bicycle, she zipped all over town via WTA, always making her way back for the daily round-table reunions. She was a fixture there, and the memorial bouquet that marked her spot for one last time represented a lovely tribute to a strong-willed and extraordinary woman. Billie Meyers Irene was just what I needed when arriving in Bellingham. A recent transplant from Southern California, I knew no one and felt the loss of friends from home. All I had to do was take a trip to Haggens and stop by the “table” for coffee. There was Irene in a most welcoming manner to a stranger. We continued our chats throughout my five year stay in Fairhaven, and those talks went on very frequently via ‘phone throughout the years until her passing. I will miss Irene’s insight into many subjects including (but not always welcome) her take on the writings of Carl Jung. Irene and I were on different sides of the aisle politically but it never became an issue in any derisive way. I liked and respected her for that. She is one lady whose friendship I enjoyed and will miss. Connie Dale Farewell Tribute Information A Celebration of Life will be held Sunday June 29, 2014 at Chuckanut Square, 1400 12th St., Bellingham from 3:00-5:00PM.

Irene Cosmos

November 26, 1926 - May 16, 2014