Madesta Valore “Desi” Cosmen, age 85 years, of Raritan Township, NJ, died peacefully on Saturday, July 9, 2022, at Hunterdon Medical Center, Raritan Township, NJ.

Born on July 14, 1936, in East Haven, CT, daughter of the late Harry and Julia Somerville, Desi lived most of her life in the Bronx, NY, and had lived in Connecticut and Virginia before moving to New Jersey to be closer to family.

When reflecting on the life of this true matriarch, resilience, grace, and love are words that form the foundation of her soul, and of her enduring legacy.

As part of an interracial marriage in the 1950’s, Desi experienced many trials and tribulations during her life, but never let any of those events nor societal ideologies make her persona or actions bitter or cold. Rather, she transformed those moments into life lessons that she used to inspire a sense of hope into each person that she met.

Raising her family in the projects of New York City, Desi’s children never knew the rough financial shape they were in, but rather knew that they were loved, always had a hot meal, and were taught that education and respect were paramount in life.

She was a ‘Mom’ to many over the years; loving children immensely, she took in anyone, and always, always, made certain they had food to eat. She was known to be able to make a feast out of anything, and her apple pie was legendary. It was said that at Desi’s table, there was a seat for everyone and anyone.

Non-judgmental, Desi endeavored to make certain that each person in her orbit saw their own gifts from God and realized that no matter what their current situation or obstacles, real or perceived, they could achieve anything if they put their minds to the task.

Working many jobs over the years to support her family, including selling funeral supplies for Mr. Math in the Bronx, Desi found her true calling in employment recruiting and worked for many years at Fanning Personnel and at Dunhill, where she was voted ‘Best Recruiter’ for three years in a row. She would eventually form her own employment recruiting company, Future Personnel, where she helped many find careers that changed their lives for the better. She was known to listen and understand her client’s needs and help them find not just a job, but their future.

In addition to spending time with family and friends, Desi loved anything to do with the beach and the ocean, and greatly enjoyed all Broadway productions. She had an affinity for classical music and was always happy whenever a cannoli was on the menu.

Journalist Elizabeth Gilbert once said, “The women whom I love and admire for their strength and grace did not get that way because stuff worked out. They got that way because stuff went wrong, and they handled it. They handled it in a thousand different ways on a thousand different days, but they handled it. Those women are my superheroes.” To all those who knew and were touched by Desi’s selflessness, tenacity, intelligence, and wit, as well as those who were nourished, both physically and spiritually, by her food, she was truly a superhero who defied the odds daily. By doing so, she leaves a legacy for anyone to look up to and strive towards. Desi would want anyone reading this to know that they can be a superhero themselves, to anyone, by living their lives with a foundation of respect and love for all people. Rest easy Desi and have the apple pie warm when we are all reunited in that place where there is no pain or suffering, but only light, peace, and hope.

Desi was preceded in death by her first husband, Alfonso Martin; her second husband, Roger Cosmen; and her first-born child, her daughter, Dawn Valore Martin, Esq.

Surviving are her children, Darren and his wife, Arelis Martin, Quin Martin, Esq., Joie Hicks, and Lowry Martin; her grandchildren, Daria Martin, Justin Martin, Jade Martin, Danielle Evans, Georgette Brown, Jolie Johnson, and Jason; her sister, Nan Martin; her best friends, Agnes “Aunt June” Jones and Liberty Goodwin; several extended family members; her “kids”, too numerous to name, but of whom she was so proud; and many dear friends made wherever her path of life traveled.

Desi will lie in repose on Friday, July 15, 2022, from 6:00-8:00 p.m. in the Chapel of Wright & Ford Family Funeral Home and Cremation Services, 38 State Highway 31, Flemington, NJ.

There will be an additional period of visitation on Saturday, July 16, 2022, from 2:00-2:30 p.m. at the funeral home, followed by a life celebration service at 2:30 p.m. and to which all are welcome. If you would like to share a story and/or thoughts about Desi for possible inclusion in the service, please click HERE to send an email to the funeral home with your words. Kindly include your contact information.

Interment will be private.

You are encouraged to visit Desi’s permanent life celebration site at www.wrightfamily.com to light a candle of hope, leave messages of condolence, share words of comfort and recollection, and post photographs of her life.

Memorial contributions in her honor may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, via mail to 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105, or online by clicking HERE.

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Wright & Ford, your local, family owned & operated “Life Celebration Home”

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