Sister Jean Marie Cotter, PBVM, 89

1934 - 2023

Sister Jean Marie Cotter, PBVM, of St. Colman’s Home, died peacefully with the Lord on July 3. She was born in Chelsea, Mass., on Feb. 17, 1934, the daughter of the late Michael A. and Helen J. Tylward Cotter. (Provided photo)

Sister Jean Marie Cotter, PBVM, of St. Colman’s Home, died peacefully with the Lord on July 3. She was born in Chelsea, Mass., on Feb. 17, 1934, the daughter of the late Michael A. and Helen J. Tylward Cotter.

She was a graduate of Immaculate Conception Grammar School and High School in Revere, Mass. She worked as a telephone operator briefly before entering the Sisters of the Presentation of Mary on July 5, 1955 and took her final profession on Feb. 11, 1961.

Sister Jean Marie received her bachelor’s degree from The College of Saint Rose in Albany and had a special certification in special education. She taught at many schools in the Diocese of Albany and worked with special-needs children at Cobb Memorial School in Altamont and also spent summers in Juneau, Alaska, as a day-care director. Most recently she was the administrative assistant to Mother Mary Louise Kane at St. Colman’s.

Sister Jean Marie had a tremendous wit and sense of humor and was kind and generous to the employees at St. Colman’s. She was known to decorate the coffee pot area for the time of the season and loved to shop for her decorations. She was a diehard Boston Red Sox and New England Patriots fan. She was predeceased by her three brothers: Michael “Gus” Cotter, John Cotter and Daniel Cotter and her sister, Katie Crane. She is also survived by several loving nieces and nephews.

Her Funeral Mass was celebrated July 15 at St. Colman’s Chapel followed by burial in St. Colman’s Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Sisters of the Presentation of Mary, 11 Haswell Road, Watervliet, N.Y., 12189.