Obituary: Barbara Sears Cote, of Branford

Barbara Sears Cote, of Branford passed away Thursday May 26, 2016 at Connecticut Hospice in Branford. She was the wife of late retired Navy Chief Quartermaster Eugene J. Cote.

Mrs. Cote was born November 16, 1924 in Worcester, MA, daughter of the late Calvin and Laura Perkins Sears. She worked as a first and second grade teacher in Branford for 20 years and was inducted into the Branford Education Hall of Fame in 2014.

She served as organist and music director for the New Haven Branch of the Community of Christ Church for 40 years and remained active in her Church throughout her life.

After retiring from teaching she continued to work as a substitute teacher and volunteer at the school libraries as well as conducting a bell choir for Stony Creek elementary school children. The Bell Choir performed for years at the Branford Festivals and venues throughout the Town.

Barbara loved to travel, surviving a cruise ship fire and traveling to Israel and Egypt among her other adventures. She was also a Connecticut Hospice volunteer for over thirty years.

Branford was her first and last home, where she resided for 66 of her years. She loved living by the Ocean, Branford Point and telling her stories to all the friends and family she shared her life with here.

She is survived by her children, Pat Cote (Tom Sohre) of Hampton, MA, Michael Cote of Branford, and Robert Cote of Buzzards Bay, MA, Lisa Kowalski of East Haven, eight grandchildren, Laura and Brendon Sohre, Jessica Cote, Stephanie Errico, Daniel Gattey, Matthew and Ryan Cote and Cassie Kowalski and one great-grandchild, C. J. Errico.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Connecticut Hospice, 100 Double Beach Road, Branford, CT 06405.