Elva “Honey” Cotter

It is with heavy hearts, we announce the passing of our mother, Elva “Honey” Cotter, aged 83 of Rothesay, NB, on Friday, November 21, 2025, in the Palliative Care Unit at the Saint John Regional Hospital surrounded by her girls. 

She is survived by her devoted daughters, Michelle Iatrou and her husband Mimi of Halifax, Karen Spurrell and her husband Glen of Quispamsis, Stacey Allen and her husband Trevor of Kingston, and Andrea Evans and her husband Stephen of Grand Bay-Westfield. Also leaving to mourn are twelve grandchildren; Kallie, Maya (Jesse), and Theo Iatrou; Andrew (Sarah), Adam (Shantel), and Christopher (Alana) Spurrell; Matthew (Stephanie and Ben) and Michael Allen and Melanie (Ethan) Bouchard; Jenna (Tyler), John (Kacidy), and Julia (Bryden) Evans. Mom also leaves behind a growing generation of great-grandchildren: Blake, Ryder, and Noah Allen, as well as Luke, June, Peter, Otto, and Rory Spurrell. Other surviving family members include several in-laws and her younger siblings Donna Challoner, Darlene (Billy) Blanchard, and Cindy Daigle. She will also be missed by many other extended family members and friends, particularly her long-time co-worker and loyal friend Cathy Brown.

 Besides our dad Jack, who passed away in 2004, mom was predeceased by her parents Roberta and Albert Vienneau, infant sister Marie, and brother Robert (Tony) Vienneau. She was also predeceased by parents-in-law Walter and Mary Cotter, brothers/sisters-in-law Edward/Betty Cotter, Jarvis/Lois McQuinn, Ted Reinders and nephew John Cotter, as well as several other extended family members and friends. 

Mom began working at The New Brunswick Telephone Company as a young woman and continued to work there for 37 years, going from part-time to full-time later in her employment. In 1961 she met the love of her life, Jack, at a Lily Lake Pavillion dance and they soon began their family together. They were blessed with 41 years of married life before dad’s passing and this left a huge hole in her world. She often spoke of dad and recalled many of their life moments together with great fondness. Whether it was playing cards with friends, baking her delicious pies for the Kinsman Club, hosting the occasional family dinner, or trips to Sussex when we were young, stories involving our dad always made her smile. Sussex always held a special place in her heart. She often said that her experiences on the Cotter farm shaped her abilities in baking, cooking, and caring for her family. 

We would like to thank mom’s family physician, Dr. Kristina Cameron, for her continued support, guidance, and compassion which provided mom much comfort during this most difficult time. Our family would also like to express our sincere gratitude to Dr. Christian Mackin and the palliative care team at SJRH for the exceptional care, compassion, and dignity they provided to mom and our family during her final days. 

In honour of mom’s passing we ask family and friends to remember her next time you grab a double-double at Tim’s or enjoy your next Coca Cola! 

In keeping with mom’s wishes, cremation has taken place and arrangements are under the direction of Fundy Funeral Home, 230 Westmorland Road (506-646-2424) with visitation being held on Friday, November 28, 2025, between the hours of 6:00 – 8:00p.m.   A Funeral Liturgy will take place in the Fundy Chapel on Saturday, November 29, 2025, at 11:00 a.m. We invite family and friends to join us after the service for a time of refreshments and remembrance in the Fundy Funeral Home Reception Centre. Following the service and reception, a private family interment will take place at Wards Creek Cemetery in Sussex, N.B. Donations in memory of mom may be made to The Canadian Cancer Society, the SJRH Palliative Care Unit, or to the charity of one’s choice.