Former teacher in Reading
Published in the May 4, 2017 edition
METHUEN – Maria J. (Filosi) Cota, of Methuen, formerly of North Reading, Reading and Somerville. Beloved wife of Anthony R. Cota Sr. who she shared 50 years of marriage. Maria was the loving mother of Philip J. Cota and his wife Tammie of NH and the late Anthony R. Cota Jr. Adoring grandmother of Shannon P. and Kayla M. Cota both of NH. Daughter of the late Augustino “Gus” and Phyllis Filosi. Oldest sister to John Filosi and his wife Margaret of Somerville, Phyllis Marciano and her husband Anthony of NH and Augustine “Gus” Filosi and his wife Dorothea “Dolly” of FL. Maria also leaves behind many loving nieces, nephews and extended family that she loved with every ounce of her being.
Maria was born and raised in Somerville, married her sweetheart Anthony and raised their two sons in Reading then North Reading. She worked for many years in the Reading School system as a teacher and later retired from teaching to assist in the family funeral home with her husband and sons and took a part time job at Star Market in North Reading just so she could be around people. She found great joy in seeing her sons mature into the gentlemen they became and watching as they took the lead in the family business. Maria’s dedication to her family was without reproach. She was most joyful around the holidays because knowing her family would all be together, enjoying food that she had prepared, always put a smile on her face. She was always amazed at the amount of Christmas cookies she would have to make every year but realized after both Anthony and Philip married and moved from home that they were the thieves in the night stealing samples well before Christmas. Maria’s greatest joy was her granddaughters. Shannon and Kayla were the daughters she never had and was so thrilled throughout the years having the opportunity take them shopping for clothes, especially each of their prom dresses. Maria had many hobbies besides cooking. She was an avid golfer and member of the Highland Greens Golf League at Hillview Country Club. Loved to winter in Florida, proud member of the Wilmington Sons of Italy and extremely active in St. Theresa’s Church in North Reading. Maria and her husband Anthony retired and moved from North Reading to Methuen where they resided at Regency. Maria loved every minute of her new neighborhood and enjoyed being active with the “girls” playing cards because deep down Maria was a people person. She was never afraid to approach someone, introduce herself and carry on a conversation as if they had known each other for years. All that knew Maria and valued her friendship will miss her terribly.
In lieu of flowers please make donations in Maria’s name to the CSF Dollars for Scholars Endowment Fund, P.O.Box 529, North Reading, MA 01864. www.cotafuneralhomes.com
