Obituary of Josephine Cotter

Josephine "Joan" Cotter of Rockaway Beach passed away on June 5, 2016. For over 91 years, she brought love and laughter to this world as a daughter, sister, wife, mother, grandmother, treasured friend, storyteller, and amateur piano and harmonica player. Guided by her unwavering Catholic faith and an unparalleled ability to find laughter amidst sadness, she lived a remarkable life—raising a family on her own an ocean away from her native Ireland. Joan was at her happiest when in the company of her six children, eleven grandchildren, and countless friends. She could not walk down the streets of Rockaway without running into one of the many adopted children who considered her family. Joan never let illness or hardship dim her spirit, beauty, or sense of humor. Her family and friends will miss her twinkling blue eyes, Irish brogue, and hearty laughter, but know that she is happy to be in heaven where she is reunited with her family,including her beloved son Patrick and cherished grandson Brian. She is survived by her loving children Richard, Barry, Sean, Jim and Claire Cotter, and Mary and Ken O'Mara; her adoring grandchildren Chris, Lauren, Tara, Brian, Sean, Danielle, Kathleen, Ryan, Eliza, and Jim; and the many other family and friends whose lives she touched. Visitation will be at Weigand Brothers Funeral Home in Williston Park, New York on Thursday, June 9 from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9. A funeral mass will be held at St. Aidan's Church on Friday, June 10 at 11:45AM. In lieu of flowers, the family would be grateful for contributions to the Brian J. O'Mara Foundation.