Dorothy M. (Harrigan) Cotter, 93, of Natick, died Sunday, February 19, 2017. She was the beloved wife of the late Richard P. Cotter. A Natick resident for 61 years, she was born in Cambridge, the daughter of the late Melvin and Mary (McCarthy) Harrigan. Mrs. Cotter was lovingly cared for by her family and caregivers until recently when she moved for a brief stay at the Parlin Hospice Residence in Wayland.
As a young woman, Mrs. Cotter was a graduate of Our Lady Help of Christians School in Newton. She was a secretary at Seagram’s for several years before her marriage. While her husband served in the army, she was active in the USO, serving food to troops as they visited Boston. Along with her sister-in-law, Katherine Mullen, Dorothy played in the drum and bugle corps, playing the bass drum. Dorothy and Richard, along with their growing family, lived in Newton, MA and Bangor, ME before moving to Natick in 1955. Mrs. Cotter and her family became active participants in the Natick community, and she enjoyed volunteering and contributing to local schools and church. Along with her children, Mrs. Cotter could be found on summer days at Memorial Beach. She also supported the Lilja School PTA and Boy Scouts, taught CCD, and participated in St. James Women's Guild and Sacred Heart Church organizations. Dorothy was more recently an active supporter of St. Paul School in Wellesley.
Throughout her life, and especially in her later years, Mrs. Cotter loved nothing more than being with her family. She found the greatest joy in celebrating holidays with her house full and all those she loved seated around the dinner table.
She is survived by her children Dr. Richard P. Cotter Jr. and his wife Karen of Holliston, James T. Cotter and his wife Patricia Wood of Lynn Haven, FL, Kevin F. Cotter and his wife Lori of Framingham, Joan M. Schultz and her husband William of East Falmouth, Timothy C. Cotter and his husband Michael Roby of Barrington, NH, Patricia L. Cotter of Natick, Kathryn T. Brown and her husband Michael of Natick, Robert D. Cotter and his wife Jill of Ashland, her daughter-in-law Jean M. Cotter of Ashland, grandchildren Jennifer, Justin, Sarah, Emily, Julie, Kevin, Robert, Michael, Katie, Carolyn, Stephen, Robert, Janelle, Philip, great-grandchildren, Cora, Alden, Thomas, Jack, Linnea, Ingrid, and Natalie. She was also the mother of the late Michael J. Cotter and sister of the late Melvin Harrigan.
Relatives and friends are invited to attend her funeral from the John Everett and Sons Funeral Home, 4 Park Street at Natick Common, on Thursday, February 23rd at 9:00 AM, with a Mass of Christian Burial at St. Paul’s Church, Wellesley, at 10:00 AM. Visiting hours are Wednesday from 4:00 - 8:00 P.M. Burial to follow at St. Patrick Cemetery, Natick.
Expressions of sympathy may be made in Dorothy’s memory to Parlin Hospice Residence, 10 Green Way, Wayland, MA or to Vi Tutuny Food Pantry, 2 Webster Street, Natick, MA 01760.