Donna Cote

Donna Cote, age 79, of Norwich, Connecticut passed away on Sunday, April 9, 2023 at her home with her beloved dog Maxwell. This is how she wanted to go, living independently at home, she never wanted to go to “Shady Pines”.

“I shall pass through this world but once. Any good therefore that I can do or any kindness that I can show to any human being, let me do it now. Let me not defer or neglect it, for I shall not pass this way again.” This quote by Stephen Grellet was one of her favorites and summarizes the way she valued the people who entered her life.

Children were at the center of her world, starting with the 4 she gave birth to, but it extended to her sisters family, our close friends, her 11 grandchildren and 3 great grandchildren. Although she did not have a career working outside the home, she did make contributions by being the family daycare center. In doing this work she was called many things…Mim, Meme or Aunt Donna. I’d refer to it as Meme’s Pre-K and there is a long list of graduates.

When she wasn’t watching kids, she was doing one of the other things she loved to do, watching TV, crossword puzzles, reading People Magazine, talking on the phone with her sister for hours, listening to Elvis Presley, jigsaw puzzles, writing down recipes she would never actually cook and the home remedies for any condition (helps hair grow, keeps mosquitos away, etc.).

She was predeceased by the following:

Mother, Aurora “Ora” Dixon

Father, Lawrence Dixon

Brother, Lawrence Dixon Jr

Sister, Shirley Baker Allyn

Husband of 40 years, William “Bill” Cote

Grandson, Daniel Cote

And she left behind a long list of grieving family and friends.

Sister, Doreen Arpin Cote, her daughter Linda (David) Jancewicz, their daughters Julie and Lindsey and grandchildren

Daughter, Lori (Bob) Pounch, their children Kyle, Chris and Conner and grandchildren

Son, Conrad (Lori) Cote and their children Sara, Andrew and Nate

Son, Larry (Chris) Cote and children Nicole, Dylan and MacKenzie and grandchild

Son, Duane (Virasb) Cote and their children Cyrus and Vida

Per Donna’s wishes, there will be no calling hours or public services, she wanted to have her ashes buried in the presence of immediate family and blessed by a family friend who was like another one of her children.

Rest in peace Donna, Mom, Mim, Meme and Aunt Donna. You did a lot of good and modeled kindness everyday of your life, albeit sometimes wrapped in colorful language. Your pass through this earth was too short. We love you.