Barbara Joyce Cogswell

Barbara Cogswell

Barbara Joyce Cogswell, 92, was born in St. Louis, Missouri on March 9, 1933, to George Benoist, Sr. and Margaret Benoist (Nee, Beuckemann). Barbara passed away on November 10, 2025, in the home of her daughter and son-in-law after a short illness, surrounded by family members who loved her. In the mid-1950’s Barbara moved from St. Louis to Seattle, Washington where she met the love of her life, Billie Cogswell, on New Years eve, 1955. They were subsequently married the following year. Bill was a well known, established Seattle restaurateur, where he and a partner owned the Plaid Piper, Casa Villa, and Hungry Turtle.

Bill and Barbara loved entertaining friends/family and traveling in their motor-home to California and points in-between. Barbara was a fabulous hostess and cook – so an invitation to her and Bill’s home always meant fun and great food. In later life, Barbara enjoyed an occasional day trip to the casino. She was very outgoing and took an interest in the people she met in daily life….chatting with and knowing the names of her grocery check-out person, deli attendant, and cocktail waitresses, as examples.

Barbara was preceded in death by husband Bill, her parents and three brothers. She is survived by her youngest brother, Gilbert F. Benoist of St. Charles, MO; daughter, Michelle (Ron) Byerley of Mill Creek, WA; daughter, Babette Del Los Reyes of San Diego, CA; Michael (Melissa) Cogswell of Marysville, WA; along with her loving grand-kids, great grand-kids, and great, great, grand-kids.

A celebration of Barbara’s life will be announced at a later date.