Mary Elizabeth Chilton Coscia

Former Flanders resident Mary Elizabeth Chilton Coscia died Feb. 18 at Monroe Village in Monroe, N.J. She was 88.

Born Oct. 2, 1922, in Ellenburg Depot, N.Y., to Smith and Ina (Crabtree) Chilton, she moved to New York City in her early twenties. There, according to family, she developed from a country girl into a “big city sophisticate” who enjoyed showing them the Manhattan she loved. She married Joseph A. Coscia in New York and they resided in the Bronx before moving to Flanders, where they lived for over 30 years.

Family said she was an avid and tireless reader of The New York Times, her favorite newspaper, and enjoyed spending time with her family, especially around the holidays and in particular Christmas, her favorite of all. They said she was a great friend and a caring neighbor.

Predeceased by her husband of 52 years, who died in 2003; her sister, Josie Treggett, and her brothers, John, Robert and Jim Chilton, all of Ellenburg Depot, Ms. Coscia is survived by many nieces, nephews and cousins.

Funeral arrangements are in the care of McLaughlin Heppner Funeral Home in Riverhead. A private memorial service will be held at a future date. Donations may be made to the Visiting Nurse Association of Central Jersey Hospice Program, 176 Riverside Ave., Red Bank, NJ 07701 (vnacj.org).