Fort Lauderdale - Rita Regina Rose Maio Cotter, the youngest of 11 Maio children born to Anna Candelena and Antonio Maio died Wednesday, September 6, a few weeks after celebrating her 91st birthday with family & friends.
Rita was born at home in the "front room" of 352 Sunset Drive in Corning, NY on the August 25th ,1932, while her sister Ceil and neighbor Mary Merola strained for a view through the side window.
Rita was the last-surviving of her siblings, as she was predeceased by her parents and 10 brothers & sisters: Catherine "Katie" Maio Weber; Blaze "Bee" Maio; Harold "Chic" Maio; Cecelia "Ceil" Maio Miller; twins, Carmen and Louis (Louie) Maio; Joseph "Ben" Maio; Arthur "Art" Maio; Amelia "Midge" Maio Clark and Veronica Maio Gunderman.
After attending Saint Mary's School and Corning Free Academy, Rita graduated from Mrs. Griffin's secretarial school and began a career that would set her destiny in motion. Hired by Ingersoll Rand as a key punch operator, fate intervened when Rita became fast friends with the IR switchboard operator, Joan Cotter. On Sundays, Joan would want to go to Rita's Italian parents for spaghetti dinner and Rita would argue that they should go to Joan's Irish parents for pot roast, so they ended up alternating Sundays; and that is how Rita met her in-laws before she met her future husband. Joan would eventually introduce Rita to her brother Gene Cotter (home for the holidays while in the US Navy) at a dance at Pricilla's Tavern. The two were married May 5, 1956 at St Mary's Catholic Church and the couple raised three children in Painted Post: Timothy James, Kathleen Ann and John Fitzgerald.
When her children were young, Rita worked as a waitress at the Lodge on the Green in Painted Post so that she could be home with them during the day. This was at a time when they were subject to daily "girdle checks" by the house manager. She was instrumental in unionizing the restaurant, and she served as a union representative for several years. She subsequently worked for Corning Glass Works and Wegman's before retiring.
Rita was an accomplished bowler and a member of Indian Hills Golf Club for most of her adult life, receiving many awards and trophies for tournament wins. She was also exceptionally skilled at Sit-N-Bull's tabletop shuffleboard, alongside her partner in crime, fellow "outlaw", Peggy Cotter.
Rita loved playing in weekly card clubs with her friends and family, and enjoyed legendary SCAT marathons with her brothers and sisters.
Christmases are a big deal in many families, but none more so than the Cotters' and Maios', with both grandparents' homes bursting with family & friends every year. Rita's brother, Art had a mischievous tradition of cutting the necktie of any of his sisters' boyfriends when they arrived on Christmas Eve. Imagine his disappointment when Gene Cotter showed up, looking dapper in a bow tie! As their children came into the picture, Rita & Gene would begin Christmas Eve with the Italian Maio grandparents. The chaos ensued as countless young cousins ripped open presents and gobbled down sweets, while the adults enjoyed the feast of the seven fishes. They would then pack up their three kids and travel to the Irish Cotters for more gift exchanging, singing, midnight mass and even more singing. They would put the kids to bed and spend the early morning hours of Christmas assembling toys & wrapping last-minute gift purchases. Rita loved hosting the Cotters on Christmas day for lunch, more adult beverages and merriment.
Nothing was more important to Rita than her family, whom she loved passionately. She instilled a strong sense of family in her children, taking them to "Grandma's house" on Sunset Drive most Sundays to spend time with cousins, aunts and uncles. She was also a proud member of the Cotter clan in Painted Post, enjoying many nights at Cotter sing-alongs that lasted well into the evenings. In her later years, she moved in with her sons in Fort Lauderdale and enjoyed spoiling all of her furry grandchildren, as only an Italian grandmother can. Rita enjoyed traveling, especially her 80th birthday trip to Italy with daughter Kathy, but her favorite trips were those she took to visit family. Most of all, like any mother, she enjoyed spending time with her children and pets.
Rita was a wonderful cook and baker; and she enjoyed making dinner for Gene and his buddies for card night at the Parisian's "camp." For the past several years, she lived with her sons, John and son-in-law Bob in Fort Lauderdale. She was famous for the Easter Pies and Christmas cookies that she would make and send to their friends and colleagues at work. She was also famous for the Facebook video updates that cast her as the good-natured foil of her son's practical jokes & ribbing.
Rita is survived by her children Kathleen Cotter of Belle Isle, Florida and John Cotter and Bob Swindell of Fort Lauderdale, as well as a multitude of cousins, nieces, nephews and her beloved sister-in-law Peggy Cotter.
In addition to her parents & siblings, Rita in preceded in death by her first-born son, Timothy James and husband Eugene "Gene" Cotter.
The family would like to recognize special nieces Suann Maio, Linda Briggs & Sandy Coffey and special friends Jon & Phyllis Draper, Kate Olson, John & Rae Read, as well as countless others who knew and loved Aunt Rita, Mama Rita, Mrs. Cotter. We would also like to thank the friends and family who took the time to visit her over the past few months. She loved every minute that she spent with them.
Rita was a life-long member of All Saints parish in Florida and attended Saint Sebastian Catholic Church in Fort Lauderdale. She was also a lay member of the Third Order of Saint Frances, a Catholic order of religious and lay-persons who try to emulate St. Francis's spirit by performing works of teaching, charity, and social service.
A Catholic mass & celebration of Life will be held in Ft Lauderdale, Florida on Saturday, Sept. 30. A second celebration will be held in Corning on Oct. 21 with mass at 10 am at Saint Mary's Church, 155 State Street in Corning, NY, followed by a reception at 12 pm at Indian Hills Golf Course Clubhouse, 1959 Indian Hills Road, Painted Post, NY - where she and Gene played for many years. Interment will take place on Monday, Oct. 23 at 9 am at Bath National Cemetery.
Rita was born at home in the "front room" of 352 Sunset Drive in Corning, NY on the August 25th ,1932, while her sister Ceil and neighbor Mary Merola strained for a view through the side window.
Rita was the last-surviving of her siblings, as she was predeceased by her parents and 10 brothers & sisters: Catherine "Katie" Maio Weber; Blaze "Bee" Maio; Harold "Chic" Maio; Cecelia "Ceil" Maio Miller; twins, Carmen and Louis (Louie) Maio; Joseph "Ben" Maio; Arthur "Art" Maio; Amelia "Midge" Maio Clark and Veronica Maio Gunderman.
After attending Saint Mary's School and Corning Free Academy, Rita graduated from Mrs. Griffin's secretarial school and began a career that would set her destiny in motion. Hired by Ingersoll Rand as a key punch operator, fate intervened when Rita became fast friends with the IR switchboard operator, Joan Cotter. On Sundays, Joan would want to go to Rita's Italian parents for spaghetti dinner and Rita would argue that they should go to Joan's Irish parents for pot roast, so they ended up alternating Sundays; and that is how Rita met her in-laws before she met her future husband. Joan would eventually introduce Rita to her brother Gene Cotter (home for the holidays while in the US Navy) at a dance at Pricilla's Tavern. The two were married May 5, 1956 at St Mary's Catholic Church and the couple raised three children in Painted Post: Timothy James, Kathleen Ann and John Fitzgerald.
When her children were young, Rita worked as a waitress at the Lodge on the Green in Painted Post so that she could be home with them during the day. This was at a time when they were subject to daily "girdle checks" by the house manager. She was instrumental in unionizing the restaurant, and she served as a union representative for several years. She subsequently worked for Corning Glass Works and Wegman's before retiring.
Rita was an accomplished bowler and a member of Indian Hills Golf Club for most of her adult life, receiving many awards and trophies for tournament wins. She was also exceptionally skilled at Sit-N-Bull's tabletop shuffleboard, alongside her partner in crime, fellow "outlaw", Peggy Cotter.
Rita loved playing in weekly card clubs with her friends and family, and enjoyed legendary SCAT marathons with her brothers and sisters.
Christmases are a big deal in many families, but none more so than the Cotters' and Maios', with both grandparents' homes bursting with family & friends every year. Rita's brother, Art had a mischievous tradition of cutting the necktie of any of his sisters' boyfriends when they arrived on Christmas Eve. Imagine his disappointment when Gene Cotter showed up, looking dapper in a bow tie! As their children came into the picture, Rita & Gene would begin Christmas Eve with the Italian Maio grandparents. The chaos ensued as countless young cousins ripped open presents and gobbled down sweets, while the adults enjoyed the feast of the seven fishes. They would then pack up their three kids and travel to the Irish Cotters for more gift exchanging, singing, midnight mass and even more singing. They would put the kids to bed and spend the early morning hours of Christmas assembling toys & wrapping last-minute gift purchases. Rita loved hosting the Cotters on Christmas day for lunch, more adult beverages and merriment.
Nothing was more important to Rita than her family, whom she loved passionately. She instilled a strong sense of family in her children, taking them to "Grandma's house" on Sunset Drive most Sundays to spend time with cousins, aunts and uncles. She was also a proud member of the Cotter clan in Painted Post, enjoying many nights at Cotter sing-alongs that lasted well into the evenings. In her later years, she moved in with her sons in Fort Lauderdale and enjoyed spoiling all of her furry grandchildren, as only an Italian grandmother can. Rita enjoyed traveling, especially her 80th birthday trip to Italy with daughter Kathy, but her favorite trips were those she took to visit family. Most of all, like any mother, she enjoyed spending time with her children and pets.
Rita was a wonderful cook and baker; and she enjoyed making dinner for Gene and his buddies for card night at the Parisian's "camp." For the past several years, she lived with her sons, John and son-in-law Bob in Fort Lauderdale. She was famous for the Easter Pies and Christmas cookies that she would make and send to their friends and colleagues at work. She was also famous for the Facebook video updates that cast her as the good-natured foil of her son's practical jokes & ribbing.
Rita is survived by her children Kathleen Cotter of Belle Isle, Florida and John Cotter and Bob Swindell of Fort Lauderdale, as well as a multitude of cousins, nieces, nephews and her beloved sister-in-law Peggy Cotter.
In addition to her parents & siblings, Rita in preceded in death by her first-born son, Timothy James and husband Eugene "Gene" Cotter.
The family would like to recognize special nieces Suann Maio, Linda Briggs & Sandy Coffey and special friends Jon & Phyllis Draper, Kate Olson, John & Rae Read, as well as countless others who knew and loved Aunt Rita, Mama Rita, Mrs. Cotter. We would also like to thank the friends and family who took the time to visit her over the past few months. She loved every minute that she spent with them.
Rita was a life-long member of All Saints parish in Florida and attended Saint Sebastian Catholic Church in Fort Lauderdale. She was also a lay member of the Third Order of Saint Frances, a Catholic order of religious and lay-persons who try to emulate St. Francis's spirit by performing works of teaching, charity, and social service.
A Catholic mass & celebration of Life will be held in Ft Lauderdale, Florida on Saturday, Sept. 30. A second celebration will be held in Corning on Oct. 21 with mass at 10 am at Saint Mary's Church, 155 State Street in Corning, NY, followed by a reception at 12 pm at Indian Hills Golf Course Clubhouse, 1959 Indian Hills Road, Painted Post, NY - where she and Gene played for many years. Interment will take place on Monday, Oct. 23 at 9 am at Bath National Cemetery.
Fort Lauderdale - Rita Regina Rose Maio Cotter, the youngest of 11 Maio children born to Anna Candelena and Antonio Maio died Wednesday, September 6, a few weeks after celebrating her 91st birthday with family & friends.
Rita was born at home in the "front room" of 352 Sunset Drive in Corning, NY on the August 25th ,1932, while her sister Ceil and neighbor Mary Merola strained for a view through the side window.
Rita was the last-surviving of her siblings, as she was predeceased by her parents and 10 brothers & sisters: Catherine "Katie" Maio Weber; Blaze "Bee" Maio; Harold "Chic" Maio; Cecelia "Ceil" Maio Miller; twins, Carmen and Louis (Louie) Maio; Joseph "Ben" Maio; Arthur "Art" Maio; Amelia "Midge" Maio Clark and Veronica Maio Gunderman.
After attending Saint Mary's School and Corning Free Academy, Rita graduated from Mrs. Griffin's secretarial school and began a career that would set her destiny in motion. Hired by Ingersoll Rand as a key punch operator, fate intervened when Rita became fast friends with the IR switchboard operator, Joan Cotter. On Sundays, Joan would want to go to Rita's Italian parents for spaghetti dinner and Rita would argue that they should go to Joan's Irish parents for pot roast, so they ended up alternating Sundays; and that is how Rita met her in-laws before she met her future husband. Joan would eventually introduce Rita to her brother Gene Cotter (home for the holidays while in the US Navy) at a dance at Pricilla's Tavern. The two were married May 5, 1956 at St Mary's Catholic Church and the couple raised three children in Painted Post: Timothy James, Kathleen Ann and John Fitzgerald.
When her children were young, Rita worked as a waitress at the Lodge on the Green in Painted Post so that she could be home with them during the day. This was at a time when they were subject to daily "girdle checks" by the house manager. She was instrumental in unionizing the restaurant, and she served as a union representative for several years. She subsequently worked for Corning Glass Works and Wegman's before retiring.
Rita was an accomplished bowler and a member of Indian Hills Golf Club for most of her adult life, receiving many awards and trophies for tournament wins. She was also exceptionally skilled at Sit-N-Bull's tabletop shuffleboard, alongside her partner in crime, fellow "outlaw", Peggy Cotter.
Rita loved playing in weekly card clubs with her friends and family, and enjoyed legendary SCAT marathons with her brothers and sisters.
Christmases are a big deal in many families, but none more so than the Cotters' and Maios', with both grandparents' homes bursting with family & friends every year. Rita's brother, Art had a mischievous tradition of cutting the necktie of any of his sisters' boyfriends when they arrived on Christmas Eve. Imagine his disappointment when Gene Cotter showed up, looking dapper in a bow tie! As their children came into the picture, Rita & Gene would begin Christmas Eve with the Italian Maio grandparents. The chaos ensued as countless young cousins ripped open presents and gobbled down sweets, while the adults enjoyed the feast of the seven fishes. They would then pack up their three kids and travel to the Irish Cotters for more gift exchanging, singing, midnight mass and even more singing. They would put the kids to bed and spend the early morning hours of Christmas assembling toys & wrapping last-minute gift purchases. Rita loved hosting the Cotters on Christmas day for lunch, more adult beverages and merriment.
Nothing was more important to Rita than her family, whom she loved passionately. She instilled a strong sense of family in her children, taking them to "Grandma's house" on Sunset Drive most Sundays to spend time with cousins, aunts and uncles. She was also a proud member of the Cotter clan in Painted Post, enjoying many nights at Cotter sing-alongs that lasted well into the evenings. In her later years, she moved in with her sons in Fort Lauderdale and enjoyed spoiling all of her furry grandchildren, as only an Italian grandmother can. Rita enjoyed traveling, especially her 80th birthday trip to Italy with daughter Kathy, but her favorite trips were those she took to visit family. Most of all, like any mother, she enjoyed spending time with her children and pets.
Rita was a wonderful cook and baker; and she enjoyed making dinner for Gene and his buddies for card night at the Parisian's "camp." For the past several years, she lived with her sons, John and son-in-law Bob in Fort Lauderdale. She was famous for the Easter Pies and Christmas cookies that she would make and send to their friends and colleagues at work. She was also famous for the Facebook video updates that cast her as the good-natured foil of her son's practical jokes & ribbing.
Rita is survived by her children Kathleen Cotter of Belle Isle, Florida and John Cotter and Bob Swindell of Fort Lauderdale, as well as a multitude of cousins, nieces, nephews and her beloved sister-in-law Peggy Cotter.
In addition to her parents & siblings, Rita in preceded in death by her first-born son, Timothy James and husband Eugene "Gene" Cotter.
The family would like to recognize special nieces Suann Maio, Linda Briggs & Sandy Coffey and special friends Jon & Phyllis Draper, Kate Olson, John & Rae Read, as well as countless others who knew and loved Aunt Rita, Mama Rita, Mrs. Cotter. We would also like to thank the friends and family who took the time to visit her over the past few months. She loved every minute that she spent with them.
Rita was a life-long member of All Saints parish in Florida and attended Saint Sebastian Catholic Church in Fort Lauderdale. She was also a lay member of the Third Order of Saint Frances, a Catholic order of religious and lay-persons who try to emulate St. Francis's spirit by performing works of teaching, charity, and social service.
A Catholic mass & celebration of Life will be held in Ft Lauderdale, Florida on Saturday, Sept. 30. A second celebration will be held in Corning on Oct. 21 with mass at 10 am at Saint Mary's Church, 155 State Street in Corning, NY, followed by a reception at 12 pm at Indian Hills Golf Course Clubhouse, 1959 Indian Hills Road, Painted Post, NY - where she and Gene played for many years. Interment will take place on Monday, Oct. 23 at 9 am at Bath National Cemetery.
Rita was born at home in the "front room" of 352 Sunset Drive in Corning, NY on the August 25th ,1932, while her sister Ceil and neighbor Mary Merola strained for a view through the side window.
Rita was the last-surviving of her siblings, as she was predeceased by her parents and 10 brothers & sisters: Catherine "Katie" Maio Weber; Blaze "Bee" Maio; Harold "Chic" Maio; Cecelia "Ceil" Maio Miller; twins, Carmen and Louis (Louie) Maio; Joseph "Ben" Maio; Arthur "Art" Maio; Amelia "Midge" Maio Clark and Veronica Maio Gunderman.
After attending Saint Mary's School and Corning Free Academy, Rita graduated from Mrs. Griffin's secretarial school and began a career that would set her destiny in motion. Hired by Ingersoll Rand as a key punch operator, fate intervened when Rita became fast friends with the IR switchboard operator, Joan Cotter. On Sundays, Joan would want to go to Rita's Italian parents for spaghetti dinner and Rita would argue that they should go to Joan's Irish parents for pot roast, so they ended up alternating Sundays; and that is how Rita met her in-laws before she met her future husband. Joan would eventually introduce Rita to her brother Gene Cotter (home for the holidays while in the US Navy) at a dance at Pricilla's Tavern. The two were married May 5, 1956 at St Mary's Catholic Church and the couple raised three children in Painted Post: Timothy James, Kathleen Ann and John Fitzgerald.
When her children were young, Rita worked as a waitress at the Lodge on the Green in Painted Post so that she could be home with them during the day. This was at a time when they were subject to daily "girdle checks" by the house manager. She was instrumental in unionizing the restaurant, and she served as a union representative for several years. She subsequently worked for Corning Glass Works and Wegman's before retiring.
Rita was an accomplished bowler and a member of Indian Hills Golf Club for most of her adult life, receiving many awards and trophies for tournament wins. She was also exceptionally skilled at Sit-N-Bull's tabletop shuffleboard, alongside her partner in crime, fellow "outlaw", Peggy Cotter.
Rita loved playing in weekly card clubs with her friends and family, and enjoyed legendary SCAT marathons with her brothers and sisters.
Christmases are a big deal in many families, but none more so than the Cotters' and Maios', with both grandparents' homes bursting with family & friends every year. Rita's brother, Art had a mischievous tradition of cutting the necktie of any of his sisters' boyfriends when they arrived on Christmas Eve. Imagine his disappointment when Gene Cotter showed up, looking dapper in a bow tie! As their children came into the picture, Rita & Gene would begin Christmas Eve with the Italian Maio grandparents. The chaos ensued as countless young cousins ripped open presents and gobbled down sweets, while the adults enjoyed the feast of the seven fishes. They would then pack up their three kids and travel to the Irish Cotters for more gift exchanging, singing, midnight mass and even more singing. They would put the kids to bed and spend the early morning hours of Christmas assembling toys & wrapping last-minute gift purchases. Rita loved hosting the Cotters on Christmas day for lunch, more adult beverages and merriment.
Nothing was more important to Rita than her family, whom she loved passionately. She instilled a strong sense of family in her children, taking them to "Grandma's house" on Sunset Drive most Sundays to spend time with cousins, aunts and uncles. She was also a proud member of the Cotter clan in Painted Post, enjoying many nights at Cotter sing-alongs that lasted well into the evenings. In her later years, she moved in with her sons in Fort Lauderdale and enjoyed spoiling all of her furry grandchildren, as only an Italian grandmother can. Rita enjoyed traveling, especially her 80th birthday trip to Italy with daughter Kathy, but her favorite trips were those she took to visit family. Most of all, like any mother, she enjoyed spending time with her children and pets.
Rita was a wonderful cook and baker; and she enjoyed making dinner for Gene and his buddies for card night at the Parisian's "camp." For the past several years, she lived with her sons, John and son-in-law Bob in Fort Lauderdale. She was famous for the Easter Pies and Christmas cookies that she would make and send to their friends and colleagues at work. She was also famous for the Facebook video updates that cast her as the good-natured foil of her son's practical jokes & ribbing.
Rita is survived by her children Kathleen Cotter of Belle Isle, Florida and John Cotter and Bob Swindell of Fort Lauderdale, as well as a multitude of cousins, nieces, nephews and her beloved sister-in-law Peggy Cotter.
In addition to her parents & siblings, Rita in preceded in death by her first-born son, Timothy James and husband Eugene "Gene" Cotter.
The family would like to recognize special nieces Suann Maio, Linda Briggs & Sandy Coffey and special friends Jon & Phyllis Draper, Kate Olson, John & Rae Read, as well as countless others who knew and loved Aunt Rita, Mama Rita, Mrs. Cotter. We would also like to thank the friends and family who took the time to visit her over the past few months. She loved every minute that she spent with them.
Rita was a life-long member of All Saints parish in Florida and attended Saint Sebastian Catholic Church in Fort Lauderdale. She was also a lay member of the Third Order of Saint Frances, a Catholic order of religious and lay-persons who try to emulate St. Francis's spirit by performing works of teaching, charity, and social service.
A Catholic mass & celebration of Life will be held in Ft Lauderdale, Florida on Saturday, Sept. 30. A second celebration will be held in Corning on Oct. 21 with mass at 10 am at Saint Mary's Church, 155 State Street in Corning, NY, followed by a reception at 12 pm at Indian Hills Golf Course Clubhouse, 1959 Indian Hills Road, Painted Post, NY - where she and Gene played for many years. Interment will take place on Monday, Oct. 23 at 9 am at Bath National Cemetery.
Inscription
WIFE OF COTTER, EUGENE R
AK2 US NAVY
KOREA
Gravesite Details
Interment 23 Oct 2023
Family Members
Sponsored by Ancestry
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