Marianne Cote
April 11, 1936 - April 28, 2017
Obituary
On April 28, 2017, a lovely spring morning, Marianne Cote went to the loving arms of the Father. Marianne left behind grieving family and many friends who will miss her warm and loving generosity and her charity towards those in any need and whom she served with authenticity and commitment.
Marianne lived a life of hard work, from scraping ship’s paint as a young teenager to working as a waitress in order to raise four children. But, besides her children and grandchildren, Marianne’s greatest contribution was to life and sacrament at St. James Cathedral in Seattle. In 1979, Marianne was hired by Fr. William Gallagher to work in the rectory as cook for the resident priests, a job she had to be pressured by family to take. She thought the priests could do better than her cooking. But Fr. Gallagher stated that in addition to putting on great meals in the dining room, she ruled as a wise mother from the kitchen where there were always an assortment of priests, and parish volunteers, ministers, and staff, chatting and watching her prepare rectory household meals. Her language over a smoking pot could serve as additional salt, and there are a goodly number of Archdiocesan priests who can attest to delicious meals served from a warm, welcoming and “ keeping it real” kitchen run by Marianne!
Fr. Michael Ryan saw that Marianne could serve the parish in another capacity, and directed her to assist with the parish Youth and Family Ministry, where she served parish families, coordinating baptisms, weddings, children’s religious education, The Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA), and other ministry programs. Marianne is well known to generations of Cathedral families, remembered as being instructive, supportive, and present at so many important celebrations of Christian Catholic life, and to the children in religious ed as the enforcer of liturgical procession place and direction and appropriate demeanor. She was very proud of her work to develop and expand children’s religious education at St. James Cathedral Parish. Marianne retired in 2013 after more than thirty years of service to the parish of St. James Cathedral. Marianne was an Associate of the Sisters of the Holy Names of Jesus and Mary.
Marianne is survived by her daughters Karen (Joseph), Terrie (John), and Sherrie (Valentino); grandchildren Tracy, John, Christopher, AnnaMarie, and Michael; great-grandchildren Jordan, Makala, Chelsea, Ashleigh, Christopher, and Keishionna; and was preceded in death by her beloved son Daniel. Marianne was the center of their family life, as the sun to the planets, and is keenly missed for the generous love and warm support she extended to her family. She taught them her love of the natural world and respect for native peoples. She shared her love of trips to the ocean, birdwatching, flower planting, and cooking. She taught her family to pray and sing. AndMarianne taught her family to believe, to love, to forgive, and, as always “ to be of good cheer”.
In the last hours of her life, Marianne assured all present that she would arrive at the gate of Heaven, singing “I’m here, Hallelujah!”. We know they were blessed in Heaven this past Friday morning to hear her song of greeting.
A funeral mass will be held for Marianne Cote at St. James Cathedral at 10:00 a.m., Monday, May 8th, 2017. A Rosary service will be at 7:30 p.m., Sunday, May 7th, in the St. James Cathedral Chapel.
My Dear Marianne,
I am so glad that I took the opportunity when you returned to St James for a visit, to again say thank you for all your patience and love during my long process of becoming a Catholic. As patience is not my long suit, I was most appreciative that it was yours. Happy Trails Marianne! I hope to be there singing songs of joy too. My love accompanies you. Sandy Murphy
I was assigned to the Cathedral from 1981 to 1984 and lived in the rectory. Marianne cared for much more than our nutritional needs. She was a listening and responsive heart, but not reluctant to challenge us– in short, the very definition of a friend. The fact that she was such fun, sharing fully in our laughter, was the delicious icing on our beautiful cake. Thanks dear Marianne, for teaching me by a life well-lived what church can and must be.
Marianne was one of the first people I met at St James when I volunteered to be a lector in 1991. She was an ever-present force of faith I will always remember.
Marianne was such a gift in my life and I am very grateful for that. I will always treasure our multiple adventures to Yellowstone and when I go in a couple of weeks, I know I will encounter her spirit–especially in the wildlife.
Blessings to all her family. May you know her loving presence around you!
Marianne was like a second grandmother to our family. She guided our 3 boys thru sacraments, picnics, processions and life at the cathedral. She made our family feel so welcome when we first arrived at a time when we were not sure of the response to our family. She encouraged both Tony and I to become catechists and provided the tools for one of the most enriching times of our lives. We carry you in our hearts Marianne and will always remember your warm hugs. Mark Contratto & Tony Rosario (JJ, Diego and Miguel) We love you,
Thank you for being a teacher, a mentor, and a friend to me. It isn’t possible fill your shoes here at St. James Cathedral, but you taught me to be the adult I needed as a child, and so nurture the children of our parish. I am grateful, dear friend. My life is richer because of you.
We met Marianne through the children’s faith formation at St. James. We will always remember Marianne shepherding her young charges in preparation for liturgies; she was mamma hen with her chicks. I don’t recall ever having a conversation with her that didn’t involve smiles and a laugh or two. For us, she was an ambassador of joy. We will miss her.
Dear Marianne,
You were a “Pioneer” Holy Names Associate when we first
began 30 years ago! And what a gift you have been to Holy Names Sisters and Associates! Not only did you live so fully the charism of Blessed Marie-Rose in helping children (and their families) to grow in faith; you always reached out to those most in need and made them feel totally welcome and respected. I will forever remember your “large heart”, your wonderful stories in “spicy” language, your spirit of joy and laughter. Pray for all of us on our way, dear friend.
It was always a joy to be in Marianne’ s presence. She was fun. And so genuine and generous, capable and tireless. I had the privilege of seeing her in action in RCIA and Children’s Education roles. Everything Marianne undertook to do, she did with grace. Everyone who knew her admired and loved her. I will miss her.
Oh the sweet memories with Marianne when I worked at the Cathedral rectory from 1980 to 1984 as afternoon and weekend receptionist. Oh the macaroni salad, meals all of them, I drank more milk in my life and loved it all. Memories of listening to Husky Football games in the kitchen on Saturdays and later her preparations for weddings. She was my 2nd mother at a very vulnerable time, The Teen Years. I learned so much about Indian culture through her family. I hope to be there to celebrate her life on Monday. Marianne, You are now a guardian angel to all those you have loved and taken care of.
Marianne is woven through the fabric of our family life and we were saddened to hear of her passing but grateful for her love and friendship and the knowledge she is now with Jesus. Sending up prayers for all the family left behind. Until we meet again, Marianne.
Oh Marianne I’m so heart broken that you have left this Earth. I know you are in heaven but it wasn’t your time to go. You have always been there for me and my family whether it was through Sunday school, confirmation, my wedding, the baptism of my kids, and the most recent when my mom passed away. You brought me so much comfort when I called you to inform you my mom had passed and you comforted me still with your warmth and guidance. I am praying for your family as they start this process of grief. I know you and my mom have connected in heaven and our watching your kids and will continue to guide us with you grace and love.
I heart goes out to Marianne and her family. She made me smile every time I saw her. She was a blessing in my life! She is in heaven and how can I deny her that gift? Love, Keith
Mom with a few of her favorite things; her darling granddaughter, her cats and a crossword!
Marianne, you will be missed!
So many wonderful memories of a kind, loving and witty co-worker! My prayers and love are extended to all the Cote clan from one who will also miss her warm sparkle! She made us all better people!
My big sister, there was not one minute in my life that you were not there. Now you are gone, I’ll have an empty spot in my life. Contrary to what young children believe ,there was a life before their existence !! And Marianne had one too! We lived in the small town of orillia wa. She had many friends ,boy friends, was a zoo keeper,over on hood canal , lived in brinnon.wa. , Montana, where she had a very interesting life, and was quite close to her husband Dan cotes family and friends, traveled extensively throughout through the sw. United States, and had a real life, she remained very close to her mother,Mary Anderson akerlund lynch,till moms passing in2016 .All her brothers,Bill,Fred,tom,and jack akerlund will miss her much as will her sisters,Nancy,Carla j, and Denise