PORTLAND – Lila A. Fournier Cote, 66, of Elmhurst Street, Waterville, passed away Thursday, Oct. 6, at Maine Medical Center in Portland following a long illness.

She was born Nov. 9, 1938, in Chisholm, the youngest of six children of Emile and Annie (Gallant) Fournier, and was a graduate of Jay High School Class of 1957.

She married Richard Cote of Livermore Falls at St. Rose of Lima Church on June 27, 1959, and lived in Boston and several Maine communities before the couple settled in Waterville in 1970, where they raised their own family of six children. The couple divorced in 1998.

A dedicated mother and homemaker, she was a staunch advocate of education. She encouraged her children to pursue higher education and took great pride that each of her children excelled in academics and completed their college degrees.

She worked for several employers in Waterville after her children were of school age; she was employed by Hannaford Bros. supermarkets for many years before her retirement in 2002. She was a seasonal employee of L.L. Bean in Waterville from 1999 to 2004. Her work allowed her to enjoy warm friendships and acquaintances with co-workers and customers.

She had the gift of gab and was rarely without a kind observation or friendly word for those she met. Her sunny disposition made her a favorite amongst co-workers, classmates and neighbors. Always willing to lend a caring ear, she made lasting friendships easily. She encouraged friends and family alike to “dream big” and lent them great support in their efforts to achieve their goals.

She delighted in gardening and was accomplished with her handiwork; she was a talented seamstress, craftsperson, knitter and crocheter. She enjoyed making special meals and handmade gifts for her family, especially her grandchildren, whom she adored. In more recent years, she took pride in the design and supervision of the renovation of her house, creating a lovely home that she enjoyed sharing with friends and visitors. She also enjoyed the adventure of traveling throughout the U.S. and abroad with siblings and her children.

Throughout her life, and even during her extended illness, she carried herself with grace and ease. Her friendly smile and demeanor ensured her place in the hearts of friends, family and caregivers to her last hours.

A devout Catholic, she was a member of Sacred Heart Parish and the Rosary Sodality in Waterville.

She is survived by her six children, Laura and husband, Roger Quandt, of Sidney, Rick Cote and his wife, Kathleen, of Tampa, Fla., Lynne and husband, Jeff Bragg, of Mount Vernon, Lisa Cote of Fryeburg, Robert Cote and wife, Bethany, of China, and Brooke (Leslie) and husband, John Kehoe, of Thomaston; and 10 grandchildren, Emily and Annie Quandt, Ryan, Owen and Camille Cote, Elise and Lily Bragg, Samantha and Emma Cote, and Aedan Kehoe. She will be dearly missed by her brothers, Paul Fournier and wife, Lorraine, of Palm Bay, Fla., Felix Fournier and wife, Rita, of Orr’s Island, and Gene Fournier and wife, Dorothy, of Orrington; a sister, Pamela Gould of Farmington; sister-in-law, Helen Fournier of Biddeford; and scores of beloved aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

She was predeceased by her brother, Rene Fournier, in 1993.

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