Obituary of Maurice Cote

Maurice "Cecil" Cote, 79 years old, passed away Wednesday, June 11, 2008, at Manor Care Skilled Nursing Facility in Hemet, California. His son Ron and daughter-in-law Debbie were bed side at his passing. Cecil, as everyone called him was born March 8, 1929, in Saint Anne, Illinois, to Julius and Leah Cote. He was the youngest of thirteen siblings. He lived in Doniphan, Missouri, most of his adult life but decided to move to California and live with his son in August of 2007 so he would no longer have to live alone. His wife of 59 years, Louise Vera Matthews Cote, passed away in May of 2005. Louise was in his thoughts daily since her passing. Cecil and Louise married May 3, 1946, and embarked upon a life together raising a family. Mr. Cote had three children, Ron, Tina and Paul Cote. Cecil loved the natural beauty of the outdoors. When he was younger, he liked hunting and fishing. In his final year in California he was able to take walks with his son in the evening. He marveled at the beauty of the snowcapped mountains. He liked to go to the nearby mountains and sit with his family and picnic. He went to the beach and watched the sunset over the Pacific Ocean. He was never alone and knew that he was loved and cared for. Mr. Cote is survived by his son and daughter-in-law; Ron and Debbie Cote, Hemet, California; brother, Clifford Cote, Kankakee, Illinois; brother, Arthur Cote, Kankakee, Illinois; brother and sister-in-law, Bernard and Marie Prairie, Clifton, Illinois; nine grandchildren; Brian, Anthony and Tara Cote, Matthew Pruett, Sara Pruett and Cadmus Keathley, Paden, LaTasha and Seth Cote. Mr. Cote was preceded in death by his parents; Julius and Leah Cote, wife; Louise Vera Matthews Cote, son; Paul Cote, daughter; Tina Cote-Keathley, sister; Lucille Mote, brother Meddie Cote, brother; Paul "Henry" Cote, sister; Marie Wehling, brother; Russell Cote, brother; Earl Cote, sister; Lillian Herman, brother; Harold "Bud" Cote, brother; Daniel Cote, brother; Wayne Cote. "As difficult as it may be, my father and mother would not want you to mourn with the knowledge of their passing. They would prefer that you rejoice in remembrance of their life and who they were. They would hope that you find solace in the knowledge that they have been reunited in God's presence and there they will be waiting." Until we meet again, Ronald Cecil Cote