Verna Mae Kosiba

Verna Mae (Hamilton) Kosiba, 80, of Upton, passed away peacefully on Monday, December 9, 2024, at the Milford Regional Medical Center. She was a deeply admired and beloved wife, mom, big sister, aunt, gramma/“Gigi,” and friend who will always be remembered for her ever present smile, warm hugs, and kind words. 

Born in Hudson, Massachusetts, Verna graduated from Hudson High in 1961 then lived in Maine, Pennsylvania, and Indiana, receiving her Bachelor's Degree in Accounting from Butler University in Indianapolis in 1976, and ultimately returning to Worcester County where she lived, worked and served the rest of her life. She was proud to be one of the earliest female Certified Managerial Accountants and spent her career working as a CMA for a variety of non-profit organizations.

Verna was an avid swimmer and a regular at the Whitinsville Community Center pool, where she was a member of the 500 mile club. She loved to knit, read, bake, play cards, go on road trips, and enjoy the peace, joy and laughter of RV camping with family across New England, but especially at her favorite place on earth, Acadia National Park in Maine. 

Her Christian faith was her hope and guiding light in the second half of her life. Her love of God was lived out in the many ways she gave back to her church and community. She was a dedicated blood donor, a former hospice volunteer and for over four decades, she served at Trinity Episcopal Church and Holy Spirit Episcopal Church in roles including lay eucharistic minister/visitor, vestry member, Jr Warden, Treasurer, prayer shawl knitter and prayer warrior. She completed the four year course of study, Education for Ministry (EfM), out of Sewanee School of Theology, to assist her in her lay ministry.

She is survived by her first husband, Robert Hawkins and her current husband of 44 years, Richard Kosiba, her three children, R.Scott Hawkins, Rebecca Hawkins, and Elizabeth (Hawkins) Choquette, four “bonus” children Cheryl (Kosiba) Hatch, Brian Kosiba, Keith Kosiba, and Todd Kosiba, 19 grand, 28 great grandchildren (29th due in May) and her brother, Gary Hamilton. She is preceded in death by her parents, Richard and Joyce (Gale) Hamilton and her sister, Janice Moreo.

A memorial service with Eucharist for family and close friends will be held at 10:00 A.M. on Friday, December 27, in the Holy Spirit Episcopal Church, 3 Pleasant Street, Sutton. Following the service, all are welcome to a catered social event to share stories of Verna’s life from 11:30 A.M. to 2:30 P.M. at Singletary Rod and Gun Club, 300 Sutton Ave, Oxford, MA.

In lieu of flowers, or donations, Verna has asked that you do some act of kindness to others.