GAIL FREDA COTE, 59
On Monday, December 18, 2017 Gail Freda Cote, beloved daughter of Normand E. and Ethel G, (Slater) Cote, went from the loving arms of her earthly family to be in the waiting arms of her heavenly family.
Gail was born in North Adams on July 5, 1958. She attended local schools, graduated from Drury High School and attended North Adams State College before enlisting in the US Navy where she served five years as a cryptological technician with the rank of E4 Petty Officer 3rd Class. Upon being discharged from the Navy she traveled to as many places as she could being affected as she was with the wanderlust. During her travels she made lifelong friends to whom she was ever loyal and giving.
She was a lover of writing and storytelling, having published several novellas, inventing memorable, colorful characters. In her poetry she gave her family and friends a window into her heart and soul. Reading was a lifelong passion and she enjoyed getting lost in old movies.
Though these things were of great importance to her, the outdoors were a second home where she walked, biked, hiked and enjoyed all that nature had to offer, while listening to all her favorite tunes.
Gail’s essence was that of a free spirit, who didn’t conform to anyone’s idea of who “Gailey” should be but instead always following her own path.
Though writing, reading, traveling and nature were her loves; family was her greatest love, for whom she always made time, always gave of herself. Gail may not have had children, but she had many loving, devoted children in her nieces and nephews and their children as well. There will never be another “Gailey” she truly was one in a million.
Gail leaves her siblings, Robin (Cote) Martin and her husband Ray, Robert Cote and his wife Paula, George Cote and his wife Linda, Carole (Cote) Perras and her husband Raymond. Besides her parents she is predeceased by her younger brother Normand A. Cote. Gail leaves 11 nieces and nephews including, Ricky Montgomery, Bonnie Cote, Tammy Martin, Danielle Garrison, Raymond D. Martin, Jessica Lapp, Joshua Cote, Amy Perras, Nicholas Vallieres, Jason Cote, Angela Cote, Elise Perras, Sally Cable. She also leaves her great nieces and nephews, Satira Martin, Katelynn Martin, Chelsea Shetterly, Haley Martin, Brianna Martin, Elijah Murphy, Joshua Martin, Keira Martin, Kyla Kaczowski, Ty William Kaczowski, Dagon Kaczowski, John Bump Jr., Tyler Bump, Jordan Belanger, Izayah Perras, Eli Perras, Sky Ann Cote, Talon Cable, Ava & Ella Lapp and great great nieces and nephews. Gail also leaves many wonderful friends including Judy Davenport and Susan Emery both of whom she considered sisters.
FUNERAL NOTICE: A celebration of her life with military honors will take place in the spring at the North Adams Public Library where a Japanese Maple Tree will be planted in her memory. Donations may be made to Hospice Care in the Berkshires or North Adams Public Library through the Flynn & Dagnoli Funeral Home- CENTRAL Chapel 74 Marshall St. North Adams, MA 01247. To add to the Book of Memories go to www.flynndagnolifuneralhomes.com.