Obituary for Josephine Jacqueline Cotreau
August 26, 1926 - September 6,2020
Today we announce the loss of our dear mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, aunt and a friend to many, Josephine Jacqueline Murphy-Cotreau. Mom is the last of the 14 children of Captain Will Murphy and his wife Frances (LeBlanc) of Wedgeport. She lost her father at the age of seven, but with so many older brothers, she never lacked for paternal affection and support, especially from her brother Walter Murphy. She loved her family and neighbourhood in Wedgeport, where her many cousins filled her childhood with happy memories. She married our father, Edwin Surette, also of Wedgeport and settled for a number of years in Halifax, where her three children were born and where she met her best friend for life, Vina Pothier. A longing for Wedgeport brought them home where they purchased a bungalow and lived for many years. After Dad passed, she eventually remarried Lawrence “Del" Cotreau and moved to Revere, Mass, keeping her home in Wedgeport for holiday visits.
After 12 years, the couple moved to Wedgeport and resided there until illness dictated that they could no longer live at home. After the passing of Del, Mom moved to The Meadows, where she spent the last three years of her life. She was cared for by so many wonderful people there under the medical direction of Drs Horton and Chandler. Mom loved her family above all else and the isolation of the past months due to COVID 19 was her last cross to bear.
Josephine was predeceased by all of her Murphy siblings, Willie; Marguerite; Leo; Walter; Minnie; Loran; Roderick; Norma; Patrick; Michael; Madeline; little Jackie and baby Willard and many of their spouses who were great friends. She was predeceased by a son in law, Elden LeBlanc. In 2009 she lost her beloved son, Roland Surette, to cancer. She is survived by her son, Eldon (Ruth )Surette, Edmonton, Alberta, daughter Donna(Jack)Messenger, Barrington Passage, daughter in law Ellen Surette (Kevin Pothier) ,Wedgeport, grandson Morgan (Trudy)Surette, Wedgeport, N S, grand-daughters Melanie(Justin ) d’Entremont, North East Point, Jan Jones (Steve Marcelynas), Connecticut, step-grandchildren, Travis Messenger(Heidi ) Clyde River; Troy (EunJung)Messenger, Bridgewater; Amber Brannen, Argyle; Stephen Townsend, Wedgeport. Also, she had eight great-grandchildren, Baylee; Taylor; Jacques; Jordyn, Lauren; Kristen; Alina; Tyler. In addition, there were six step-great-grandchildren, Chloe; Naomi; Emily; Avril; Ethan and Rayna.
We ask that there be family flowers only and donations be made to the Wedgeport Cemetery and the Meadows Home for Special Care.
Visitation will be Friday, September 18th, 7-9pm from the Sweeny’s Funeral Home Chapel. Funeral Service will take place 11am Saturday, September 19th from the Saint Michaels Catholic Church in Wedgeport. Father Albeni d’Entremont officiating. Interment to follow in the Parish Cemetery. Online condolences may be sent to sweenysfh@eastlink.ca, or you may sign the guestbook online at www.sweenysfuneralhome.net.
Mom, we could never say goodbye to you. We will just say, “We love you. See you later .”
Today we announce the loss of our dear mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, aunt and a friend to many, Josephine Jacqueline Murphy-Cotreau. Mom is the last of the 14 children of Captain Will Murphy and his wife Frances (LeBlanc) of Wedgeport. She lost her father at the age of seven, but with so many older brothers, she never lacked for paternal affection and support, especially from her brother Walter Murphy. She loved her family and neighbourhood in Wedgeport, where her many cousins filled her childhood with happy memories. She married our father, Edwin Surette, also of Wedgeport and settled for a number of years in Halifax, where her three children were born and where she met her best friend for life, Vina Pothier. A longing for Wedgeport brought them home where they purchased a bungalow and lived for many years. After Dad passed, she eventually remarried Lawrence “Del" Cotreau and moved to Revere, Mass, keeping her home in Wedgeport for holiday visits.
After 12 years, the couple moved to Wedgeport and resided there until illness dictated that they could no longer live at home. After the passing of Del, Mom moved to The Meadows, where she spent the last three years of her life. She was cared for by so many wonderful people there under the medical direction of Drs Horton and Chandler. Mom loved her family above all else and the isolation of the past months due to COVID 19 was her last cross to bear.
Josephine was predeceased by all of her Murphy siblings, Willie; Marguerite; Leo; Walter; Minnie; Loran; Roderick; Norma; Patrick; Michael; Madeline; little Jackie and baby Willard and many of their spouses who were great friends. She was predeceased by a son in law, Elden LeBlanc. In 2009 she lost her beloved son, Roland Surette, to cancer. She is survived by her son, Eldon (Ruth )Surette, Edmonton, Alberta, daughter Donna(Jack)Messenger, Barrington Passage, daughter in law Ellen Surette (Kevin Pothier) ,Wedgeport, grandson Morgan (Trudy)Surette, Wedgeport, N S, grand-daughters Melanie(Justin ) d’Entremont, North East Point, Jan Jones (Steve Marcelynas), Connecticut, step-grandchildren, Travis Messenger(Heidi ) Clyde River; Troy (EunJung)Messenger, Bridgewater; Amber Brannen, Argyle; Stephen Townsend, Wedgeport. Also, she had eight great-grandchildren, Baylee; Taylor; Jacques; Jordyn, Lauren; Kristen; Alina; Tyler. In addition, there were six step-great-grandchildren, Chloe; Naomi; Emily; Avril; Ethan and Rayna.
We ask that there be family flowers only and donations be made to the Wedgeport Cemetery and the Meadows Home for Special Care.
Visitation will be Friday, September 18th, 7-9pm from the Sweeny’s Funeral Home Chapel. Funeral Service will take place 11am Saturday, September 19th from the Saint Michaels Catholic Church in Wedgeport. Father Albeni d’Entremont officiating. Interment to follow in the Parish Cemetery. Online condolences may be sent to sweenysfh@eastlink.ca, or you may sign the guestbook online at www.sweenysfuneralhome.net.
Mom, we could never say goodbye to you. We will just say, “We love you. See you later .”