Luigina Cosentino

Luigina Cosentino, 91, of Cathlamet, Washington died Wednesday, December 18th, in her home with family around her. She was born July 2, 1933, in Bucita (Cosenza) Italy to Luigi and Maria Palermo. She spent the early years of her life in pre-war Italy and experienced World War II as a child. She grew up in the Catholic Church receiving her education from the nuns.

In 1958 she married the love of her life, Robert A. Cosentino, in the small village church in which she was raised. She then traveled to the United States where her and her husband made their home in Los Angeles, California. In 1966, in search of a quieter life, they moved to Los Osos, California where they started and ran a successful construction and real estate business for 31 years. In 2014 she moved to Cathlamet, Washington to live with her son and daughter-in-law. She enjoyed spending time with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

She loved to travel and see new areas. She especially enjoyed being outdoors, camping, fishing, gardening, reading and learning new things. She earned the title ‘Plant Doctor’ by bringing houseplants back to life. She always had a garden and when her mobility diminished, she gardened in raised beds built on the deck outside her bedroom door. 

She had an amazing memory and loved to share stories of her life from childhood in Italy to her years of marriage and raising her son, to friends, acquaintances, people she had met long ago, recalling them all by name. 

But her favorite pastime was cooking amazing cuisine to share with those she loved most, her family and friends. She spent much of her time passing on the secrets of preparing good food with her children, grandchildren and anyone who would listen. Many memories of her will be around the food, fellowship and the love she poured out on her family and friends. She will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved her.

Luigina is preceded in death by her husband, Robert A. Cosentino, her parents, Luigi and Maria Palermo, three brothers, Arturo, Vincenzo, and Guido Palermo.

She is survived by a son, Robert L. and wife Valerie Cosentino of Cathlamet, WA; one brother, Franco and wife Prospera Palermo of Red Bluff, CA; two sisters, Concetta Palermo of Oro Valley, AZ, and Maria and husband Luigi Covelli of Morgan Hill, CA; two grandchildren, Gina and husband Jacobe Conrad of Cathlamet, WA; Sarah Cosentino of Longview, WA; and 3 great-grandchildren, Elijah, Adalyn and Joanna Conrad of Cathlamet, WA, as well as many nieces, nephews and cousins.