Shirley Cote

OXFORD - Shirley H. (Dover) Cote of Brown Rd, Oxford, died peacefully on Thursday, June 23, 2011, after a long illness, at UMass Memorial Medical Center, surrounded by her loving family. Shirley is survived by her husband of 27 years, Kenneth A. Cote, Sr. of Oxford; a son, Scott Lovejoy and his fiancée Karen Champagne of Dudley; a daughter, Patty Ross and her husband Richard of Oxford; a stepson, Kenneth A. Cote Jr. of Virginia; her mother, Evelyn J. "Jean" Dover of Dudley; two brothers, Gordon R. Dover of Portland, ME and Walter W. Dover of Worcester; two granddaughters, Sara Lovejoy of Dudley and Nicole Ross of Oxford; and many nephews. She was predeceased by her father Almon W. Dover of Oxford who died in 1993 and her grandson, Kenneth Ross who died in 2008. Mrs. Cote was born in Worcester and was a lifelong resident of Oxford. Shirley was a graduate of Oxford High School and attended Fisher Junior College. Mrs. Cote worked as an office manager and consultant at POBCO in Worcester for 20 years. Shirley enjoyed gardening, especially her roses in her yard. She loved to laugh and always enjoyed life, especially time spent with her family. Even in her final days, she had a smile for everyone. Her family would like to extend a special Thank you to Dr. Peter Bagley who was Shirley's pulmonist and to the staff in the UMass Memorial CCU and the SICU for the exceptional care and support that was shown to Shirley. Funeral services will be private. Family & friends are invited to an informal gathering at the home of Patty Ross, 12 Oakwood Terrace in Oxford on Wednesday, June 29, 2011 at 3:00 p.m. Memorial contributions may be made to the UMass Memorial Development Office, c/o Pulmonary Care Unit, 333 South Street, Shrewsbury, MA 01545. Paradis Funeral Home, 357 Main Street, Oxford, MA 01540 is assisting with arrangements.