Rita M. (Sawyer) Cote, age 84, a longtime resident of Dracut, passed away at Mary Immaculate Nursing Home on Sunday, September 11, 2022 surrounded by her loving family. She was the beloved wife of Roger A. Cote with whom she enjoyed 57 years of marriage until his passing in 2014.
She was born in Lowell on March 20, 1938 and was the daughter of the late Roland and Irene (Pelletier) Sawyer.
Rita grew up in Lowell and graduated from St. Patrick’s High School with the class of 1956. She would love to try her luck at the casinos and had great fun playing bingo, going to Foxwoods, and visiting Las Vegas, where she would occasionally win trips with her husband. Rita had fond memories of camping at Winnisquam Beach Resort in New Hampshire. She was a proud member of the Red Hat Society. Above all, Rita adored her family and was happiest when surrounded by her loved ones. She loved to host family gatherings and Sundays were always spent enjoying family dinner.
Rita is survived by her children, Christopher Cote and his wife Stacey of Marlow, NH, Michelle Jasmin and her husband Daniel of Dracut, and Nicolle Wood and her husband Patrick of Hudson, NH; her grandchildren, Ashley, Hayley, Lindsey, Tyesin, Zoey, Cody and Carter; her sister, Rachel Gamache and her husband Paul of Lowell; her niece, Paula Bowden of Tewksbury; her cousin, Richard Pelletier and his family; and her best friend, Gloria Paquin of Nashua, NH.
In addition to her parents and her husband, she is predeceased by her brother, Ronald Sawyer.
The family extends its gratitude to the staff at Beacon Hospice and Mary Immaculate Healthcare for their loving care.
Visiting hours will be held on Wednesday, September 14th from 4pm to 7pm at the DRACUT FUNERAL HOME, 2159 Lakeview Ave., DRACUT. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Thursday at 11:30am at St. Rita’s Parish, 158 Mammoth Rd., LOWELL. Interment will follow in St. Joseph Cemetery, CHELMSFORD.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Rita’s name to the Alzheimer's Association at alz.org.