Yvette Cote

The good Lord took Yvette LaRochelle Cote of Sanford, ME and Zellwood, FL, to her home in heaven on February 25th, 2022 at the age of 91. Yvette was the fourth born of seven children to predeceased parents Napoleon "Paul" and Alice Michaud LaRochelle. Yvette is predeceased by her brothers Joseph "Duke" of Naples FL; Leo of Sanford, ME; Donald of Middletown, CT; and sister Jeanne Dupuis of Canada. She is survived by her sisters Theresa Rivard and husband Gerald of Springvale, ME; Dorothy Glaude of Milford, NH; and sister-in-law Jocelyne LaRochelle of Naples, FL. Yvette met her predeceased husband Raoul "Ralph" George Cote, son of Apollinaire "Paul" and Dorila Gagne when she was 16. They courted for two years and were married on April 30, 1949. They have seven beautiful children: first, six daughters and then a son. Laurette Darling and husband Richard of Fayette, ME; Rachel Molleur and fiance Eric Barrett of Westbrook, ME; Patricia Gammon and husband Robert, of Belgrade, ME; Jeanne Allaire and husband Michael, of Eustis, ME; Ann-Marie Miller and husband Harry of Hooksett, NH; Rita Lewandowski and predeceased husband Thomas of Bedford, NH; their son Roland, and girlfriend Laurie Plante, of Wells, ME. This fun-loving family gave Yvette 15 grandchildren, 17 great grandchildren, two great-great granddaughters. She is also survived by many nieces and nephews. Yvette held many jobs in her work career including the Shoe Shop in Springvale, mending department in Brooks Mills in Sanford, and manager of Sew Right store owned by Irving and Glenda Bloom. Her favorite job was when Ralph transformed the cellar of their family home into a sewing room that housed seven sewing machines, and she was able to give sewing lessons from her home business called Chez Yvette. The laughter that came up the stairs assured us that everyone was having a good time. While she lived in Sanford, Yvette was active with the Daughters of Isabella and the Ladies of St. Anne Sodality. Over the years, Yvette loved to travel with Ralph. This included visiting relatives in Canada, escapades to Florida, and weekend get-a-ways with their close-knit friends. Camping became a new favorite as the years went by. Trip highlights included their cruise to the Caribbean, and their trip to Ireland with their friends, the Flynns. In their retirement years, Yvette and Ralph toured Florida and settled in the town of Hudson. After Ralph's passing, Yvette moved to Zellwood, FL next to her high school friend, Yvette Savage. She made many new friends and life was never dull. Her participation in the Red Hat Ladies gave her much joy and companionship. Yvette was an avid reader. She enjoyed playing cards, dominos, and bingo. Yvette had many interests and was exceptional at everything she learned to do. She learned to sew and made clothes for herself and other people. Her daughters remember the stylish dresses she made and wore to local dances with dad. Yvette often made clothes for the family and even made some of the girls' wedding dresses. She also taught her children to sew, knit, crochet, and decorate cakes. At the age of 60, she learned how to paint. Her creations included florals, landscapes, and portraits. Yvette's children, grandchildren, and friends have many of her masterpieces. At that time, she also learned to play the organ entertaining herself, her friends, and family. Yvette was an ever-present part of her grandchildren's lives. She attended many events for them glowing with pride at their accomplishments. She was a wonderful Memere. She spent hours playing card games, dominos, and baby dolls with them. Yvette followed her family on Facebook acknowledging that she read the post with a "like." Her love of fun and laughter filled many hearts, and let's not forget her love of a daily glass of wine. Yvette was a classy lady even having her nails painted and hair curled while in hospice care. Her passing will leave a large hole in many people's lives, but the peace she is enjoying will help those left behind. Yvette raised her children to be caring and kind to others. They will continue to carry on the many teachings and skills that were instilled in them growing up. Yvette's family wishes to thank the staff of Balsam House for providing her a home to enjoy her last year of independence with new friends and helpful staff. The family would also like to thank the staff of Augusta Center for Health and Rehabilitation and the staff of Constellation Hospice for the compassionate care they gave her at the end of her life. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10AM on Saturday, April 30, 2022 at Saint Therese of Lisieux Parish Church, 66 North Avenue in Sanford. Burial will follow at St. Ignatius Cemetery, Sanford. Arrangements are under the direction of the Black Funeral Homes of Sanford-Springvale. In lieu of flowers, Yvette personally requested that donations be made to Susan G. Komen for the Cure at https://www.komen.org/.