Mary J. Cottingham

CHICOPEE- Mary Cottingham, 85, passed away on Friday July 24, 2015 at Baystate Medical Center. She was born in St. Johns, New Foundland, Canada on May 17, 1930 a daughter of the late Thaddious and Frances (Clark) McCarthy. She was predeceased by her beloved husband Gordon B. Cottingham in November of 1998. She worked as a teacher for many years at Holyoke Head Start and the Holyoke Model Cities with the community children and loved interacting with young people. Mary enjoyed playing Bingo, watching the ocean from the beach and being around her grandchildren. She is survived by her seven children: Rose Cottingham of Chicopee; Debbie Cordeira of Westfield; Bill Cottingham of Chicopee; Evelyn Eastman of Palmer; Danny Cottingham of Chicopee; Cathy Moore of Chicopee; Colleen Cottingham of Holyoke; three sisters, Joan Castenada of Seattle, WA; Frances Miller of New Foundland; Agnes Speck of Toronto, Canada; a brother Tommy McCarthy of New Foundland; 14 adored grandchildren and 11 great grandchildren as well as many nieces, nephews and cousins. She was also predeceased by a granddaughter, Christie Cottingham in July of 2000. Mary’s family is very grateful for the wonderful care that was given by Willimansett East, especially by Ida, Melanie and Dee. Visiting hours will be held on Tuesday, July 28, 2015 from 4-7PM at Brunelle Funeral Home, 811 Chicopee St., Chicopee, MA 01013. A funeral home service will be celebrated on Tuesday evening at 6:30PM with Fr. William Tourigny, Pastor of St. Rose de Lima Church officiating. Please visit www.brunellefuneralhome.com for more details.