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Rollande D. Cote
June 29, 1928 ~ July 25, 2018 (age 90) 90 Years Old
Thomaston - Rollande (Denis) Cote, age 90, died July 25, 2018 at Waterbury Hospital after a brief illness.
Rollande was born in Plantagnet, Ontario, Canada on June 29, 1928, daughter of the late Philias and Gertrude (Galipeau) Denis. She was the youngest daughter of nine children. In January 1930 the family emigrated from Canada to a dairy farm in Weybridge, VT. Rollande attended the local two-room school and graduated from Middlebury High School in 1946. She then started her working career in the office of VanRalte, Inc. in Middlebury.
On November 15, 1952 she began a 65 year marriage to Raymond Cote, getting married at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Middlebury, VT. In 1954 the family moved to New York State, in 1962 to Winsted, CT and then to Waterville, CT where the family survived a tornado that so severly damaged their apartment that they had to move again. After so many moves Rollande decided the children needed stability in their education and so they bought a house in Thomaston, CT. It was a wonderful place with a large yard to play in, space to raise pets, woods to explore, a hill to slide on, and a pond to skate on. Their home on Jackson Street soon became the playground for many children who lived on the street. Rollande loved children and didn’t mind their playing; but there were rules and they were strictly enforced. There was always room for one or more at the dinner table. Rollande’s greatest joy in her life were her children. She enjoyed nurturing them while they were growing up and was proud to see them grow into responsible adults. She was there to help and support them in whatever they needed or whatever they were doing. She was lovingly called “Memere” by her 10 grandchildren and 8 great grandchildren.
Rollande was a strong woman; when difficulties were at their worst, it was her courage and strength that kept her family together. She believed that all things were possible through faith, hard work, dedication, passion and love of God. She knew that if she did her part, |God would do His! As a mother she taught her children invaluable life lessons; morals, values, dignity, strength and integrity. She was never short of words in describing the accomplishments of each of her children and the pride she took in each one of them.
Rollande’s favorite past time was to work on jigsaw puzzles; each one was a challenge. Her daughter, Denise, kept her supplied throughout the years. She loved flowers, especially roses. Rollande was a long time communicant at St. Thomas Church and had a great devotion to the Blessed Mother. She was a member of the Rosary Group and so enjoyed trips with the group to the Lourdes of Litchfield Shrine. In later life, Rollande collected angels. She was a long time member of the Thomaston Senior Council and enjoyed participating in their activities.
Besides her husband Raymond she is survived by her daughters Denise (Kevin) Weik of Morris, CT, Adrianne Cote (Don) Dimitratos of Tracy, CA, sons Stephen (Lori) of Plymouth, CT, William (Leslie) of Seneca, SC, Andre Cote of Torrington, CT and a son-in-law Kevin Magee of Austin, TX. She leaves 10 grandchildren, Ericka Weik, Keely Weik-Anderson, Melissa (Daniel) Smith, Philip Dimitratos, Jason (Summer) Cote, Amanda (Eric) Hammond, David Cote, Catherine (Greg) Foley, Joshua Cote, and Seth Magee and 8 great grandchildren, Charlotte, Aidan, Grayson, Oliver, Aaron, Tyler, Ryley, and Thomas. She is also survived by a sister Claire Crocker of Thomaston, CT, a brother Jules (Mary) Denis of Rutland, VT, 69 nieces and nephews and several cousins. She is predeceased by her parents, daughter Loraine Magee, two infant sons Ronald and Donald, daugher-in-law Barbara (Prianti) Cote, a grandson Todd Cote, sisters Laurette Labrake, Annette Rheaume, Yvette Quenneville, brothers Alexis, Paul and Louis Denis, 2 grandsons-in-law, Michael Deutsch and Charles Anderson.
Mass of Christrian burial will be at St. Thomas Church on Tuesday July 31st at 11 followed by a burial service at St. Thomas Cemetery. Meet directly at church. Calling hours will be at Lyons Funeral Home, 46 High Street, Thomaston, CT on Monday July 30th from 5 to 8 pm.
In lieu of flowers memorial donations can be made in Rollande’s memory to the National Urea Cycle Disorders Foundation, 4559 Vauxhall Rd, Richmond, VA 23234. This organization is close to Rollande’s heart because both she and her daughter Loraine lived with this disorder and Rollande lost her 2 infant sons from it.
Services
Visitation
Monday July 30, 2018 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM Lyons Funeral Home 46 High Street Thomaston, CT 06787
Service
Tuesday July 31, 2018 11:00 AM St. Thomas Church One East Main St. Thomaston, CT