Dorothy May (Walter) Cotten

September 26, 1946—March 4, 2022

Dorothy May Walter entered this world on Thursday September 26, 1946, to Robert Walter and Florence Eichaker Walter in Rockford, Illinois. At just 6 weeks old, they moved to Metairie, Louisiana. Dorothy, “Dot” or “Dottie”, as many knew her, grew up loving the New Orleans culture of large family gatherings, good food and Mardi Gras parades. Along with her younger brother, Donald, baby sister Joann, and the large family of Eichaker’s living in the New Orleans area, all lived the motto, “Laissez les bon temps rouler” (Let the good times roll!)

Dottie graduated high school from Riverdale All Girls High School in 1964. After several years working in the private sector, Dottie decided that she would become a school teacher. 1972-1980 she was a Teacher Assistant at Harahan Elementary School. Dottie realized that she wanted to be the teacher not just the assistant. While still teaching, she studied hard and earned a B.A. from St. Mary’s Dominican College in 1981 and received accreditation as a Teacher. She taught Special Education class at Harahan Elementary and Vic Pictre from 1982 to 1985. Then moved to teaching 3rd grade students at Lakelawn Elementary School from 1985 to 1987. Dottie transferred to Lakewood Elementary School from 1987 thru 1994. Dot retired from full time teaching in 1994, but her love of teaching kept her in the classroom by substitute teaching for elementary to high school students till about 10 years ago.

Even though Dot enjoyed teaching other children, she had said that her greatest joy in the world was her son, Wade. She was blessed with a beautiful baby boy in 1970 and she worked hard as a single mother to provide for him, herself and her immediate family.

Dottie was a very outgoing and sociable person. She always found time for social activities. She was a Red Hat Society member, “Merry Metry Mamas”. Member of the local “Singles against Singles Club” at Saint Clement of Rome, a group of single people that organized dances and trips for other single people in the area. During Mardi Gras season, one could always find Dot and the family at the parades in downtown New Orleans and they loved to ride in the truck parades in Metairie.

Dorothy was deeply devoted to her son, her mother and father and her brother and sister. She loved the outdoors, horseback riding and all the animals that roamed the earth. She loved to go dancing on the weekends. The family would spend many days traveling and camping throughout the United States in the RV with many other relatives.

After seven years of fight and vigor, even to the end, Dorothy lost her battle with cancer on March 4, 2022 at the age of 75. Dottie is survived by her son, Wade Cotten and his wife, Beverly; her brother, Donald Walter; sister Joann W. Terranova and her husband, Joseph Jr.; nephew, Jason Terranova and niece, Jessica Terranova; Aunt, Alberta Cazabon and many, many cousins.

A service will be held on April 2, 2022 at Leitz-Eagan Funeral Home in Metairie, LA. Family viewing at 8:30am, general viewing at 9:00am and mass at 11:00am. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that a donation be made in Dorothy Cotten’s name to the National Park Foundation. Please use/copy the link to make a monetary donation. http://give.nationalparks.org/goto/Dorothy_Cotten