June Cotter, 93, died peacefully at Northridge Village on October 5. Born in Chicago in 1926, she graduated from Providence High School. During the war, June worked for the Navy Dept. while her future husband (William Cotter) trained to be a Navy pilot. In June 1949, she married William Cotter. He pre-deceased her in 1986. Her three children (William, Carole and Patricia) were born in Chicago. Once the family relocated to the east coast, June became involved in volunteer work, managing a fledgling non-profit thrift shop serving the developmentally disabled. Under her leadership, sales and profits grew, volunteers totaled 30, and the shop provided significant funding for their programs. She found great meaning in supporting this program and getting to know the clients' families. The camaraderie of the staff provided a group of close-knit friends who worked hard and shared laughter at work. For her hard work and dedication June was awarded the Volunteer of the Year Award from the SARAH Organization of Southern Connecticut.
She moved to Ames in 2003, continuing her volunteer service at St. Cecilia, Special Olympics and Heartland Senior Services where she received their Volunteer Extraordinaire Award. She made many new friends through her work at the reception desk and with the exercise group.
June is survived by: Patti Cotter and Peter Orazem; Matthew Orazem (Naixing), Katherine Orazem. Bill and Cheryl Cotter; Ryan Cotter (Jen), Kyle Cotter and Kevin Cotter. Carole Cotter; Erin Sullivan (Jenna), Devin (Sarah) Sullivan, Sean (Melissa) Sullivan and Corey (Michelle) Sullivan. She is also survived by great-grandchildren: Alayna, Evan, Olivia, Colin, Finn, Lily, Charlie, Damien, and Emma. Her siblings will also mourn her passing: Don Hansen (Margaret), Elaine McNulty, Dorothy Cellitti, Roger Hansen (Karen) and Jean Plumtree
In lieu of flowers, if you wish to remember June with a donation, please select a charity of your choice or honor her fondness for Heartland Senior Services or any organization serving the elderly or disabled.
We are grateful for the kind care and attention she received at from the staff and friends at Northridge Village in the last two years.
A gathering of friends and family will be 9:30 - 11:30 a.m. Friday, October 11, at St. Thomas Catholic Church, 2210 Lincoln Way, Ames, Iowa with a 11:30 a.m. Mass of Christian Burial at St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church.
Online condolences may be directed to: www.grandonfuneralandcremationcare.com