LEICESTER: Barbara Louise (Cote) Martel, 81, passed away on Monday, June 6 in the Life Care Center of Auburn after a long battle with dementia thought to be due to Alzheimer's.
She leaves her husband of 62 years, Richard F. Martel, a son Richard Martel the II of Leicester; two daughters: Joan Rivernider and her husband Stephen of Oxford, Jeanne Gonthier and her husband James of Framingham; six grandchildren: Jason Rivernider and his wife Samantha of Woodstock CT, Rebecca Cayer and her husband Jacob of Arizona, Amanda Martel of Oxford, Stephanie Gonthier and Partner Darby Hamilton of Washington DC, and Alyse Gonthier and Partner Gary Ge of California, and Emalee Rebello of Oxford; two brothers: Paul Cote of Maine, and Richard Cote and his wife Chottsie of Auburn; a sister-in-law Connie Mirick and her husband Robert of Charlton, The Rebello family of Oxford, many nieces and nephews, and her beautiful great-granddaughter Leilani of Woodstock CT. She is predeceased by her infant daughter Mary whom she talked about often and never forgot, and her best friend Evelyn Dunton who she considered a sister.
Barbara was born in Worcester, and grew up in Auburn the daughter of Eugene and Evelyn (St. Onge) Cote. She graduated from Auburn High School and attended Ward Secretarial School. She worked at Worcester State College throughout her career, first as a switchboard operator and then in the library as the director of instruction materials. She was an active member of St. Aloysius-St. Jude Parish and their Ladies Guild, worked on the planning committee for many of her high school reunions, and volunteered for The Giving Tree and The Little Store. She loved to read and play scrabble, and was involved in several arts and crafts groups, and she enjoyed spending time with her grandchildren. Above all she was a sweet gentle soul who made this world a better place. Whenever you see yellow tea roses, think of her and say a prayer, those were her favorite flowers.
The funeral will be held on Monday, June 13 from MORIN FUNERAL HOME, 1131 Main Street, Leicester with a Mass at 10:00 AM in St. Aloysius-St. Jude Church, 759 Pleasant Street, Leicester. Burial will follow in Notre Dame Cemetery, Worcester. Calling hours are Sunday, June 12 from 1:00-3:00 PM in the funeral home. In lieu of flowers memorial donations may be made to Alzheimer's Assoc. of MA/NH, 309 Waverly Oaks Road, Waltham, MA 02452.