PLATTSBURGH — Mrs. Patricia "Pat" E. Cote, 87, of South Catherine Street, passed away peacefully with her son by her side on Monday, Oct. 8, 2012, at the CVPH Medical Center.
Patricia was born in Montreal, Quebec, Canada on July 19, 1925, the daughter of William Lawrence Hughes and Annie Veronica Williams. She lost her mother at the age of three, but always cherished her father who spent his final years living with her family until his death in 1974.
Patricia had a charismatic personality and a love for life, her friends and, first and foremost, her family. She had an affinity for music and, in her early years, enjoyed dancing to the big bands in Montreal and singing with her brother, Bill, as he played the guitar. She was also a member of the choir at Our Lady of Victory Church for several years. Patricia not only possessed a talent for singing and dancing, but also drawing and writing poetry, some of which was published. She met the love her life, Paul, in 1946, while visiting Plattsburgh. They married on Dec. 20, 1948, in Montreal.
Patricia worked many jobs during her lifetime and helped her husband in running a successful apartment business, including playing an integral part in the creation and design of O.L.V. Apartments in Plattsburgh, during the 1970's.
For several years, she worked as a volunteer assisting foreign refugees as they passed through Plattsburgh before moving to Canada. Her proudest accomplishment, however, was caring for her disabled daughter, Valerie, who was paralyzed from the waste down due to Spina Bifida. Doctors had forecasted that Valerie would probably not live beyond the age of six months, but she far surpassed this mark before succumbing to her illnesses at the age of 54. Patricia was a very loving wife and mother, who placed her family above all else. She was also a woman of great faith, who never failed to attend Sunday Mass at Our Lady Victory Church until she became very ill.
Pat is survived by a son, Lowell Cote and his companion Susan Bishop and her daughter Michelle Bishop of Plattsburgh; a brother, William Hughes of Dorval, Canada; a son-in-law Mark Boivin of Keeseville; a brother-in-law, Rev. Normand Cote of Plattsburgh; and five sisters-in-law, Lillian and Aline Cote of Plattsburgh, Barbara Cote of St. Petersburg, Fla., Valida Sears-Cote of West Chazy and Punta Gordo, Fla., and Gladys Hughes of Barrie, Ontario. Several nieces and nephews also survive her.
Patricia was predeceased by her husband, Paul Cote; a daughter, Valerie Boivin; two sisters, Alma Adams and Vera Brown; one brother, Gerald Hughes; and brothers-in-law, Lionel "Joe" Cote, George Cote, Harold Brown and William Adams.
Calling hours will be held from 2 to 4 p.m. and 7 to 9 p.m. Friday, Oct. 12, at the Brown Funeral Home, 29 Broad St., Plattsburgh, NY.
A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated 11 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 13, at Our Lady of Victory Church, Plattsburgh, by her brother-in-law, Rev. Normand Cote, retired. Burial will follow at St. Peter's Cemetery with a subsequent reception in her honor at the Plattsburgh Elk's Lodge.
Donations in Patricia's memory may be made to Our Lady of Victory Church.
Arrangements are entrusted to Brown Funeral Home, 29 Broad St., Plattsburgh, New York 12901. (518) 561-3980.
Online condolences and memorial candles may be offered at www.brownfuneralhomeinc.com.
