Margaret Loretta Cottrell (Lavin), "Dolly" or "Ma", was born March 2, 1933 in Hoosick Falls, N.Y. She passed away peacefully at the age of eighty-eight at the Centers for Living and Rehabilitation in Bennington, VT while surrounded by family and list...
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Margaret Loretta Cottrell (Lavin), "Dolly" or "Ma", was born March 2, 1933 in Hoosick Falls, N.Y. She passed away peacefully at the age of eighty-eight at the Centers for Living and Rehabilitation in Bennington, VT while surrounded by family and listening to some of her favorite singers, Loretta Lynn and Charlie Pride.
She was predeceased by her husband George in 2005, mother Catherine Lavin (Fennessey); father, Paul Lavin, multiple brothers and sisters as well as three sons Gary Lee, George "Mike", and Jeffrey.
Dolly was the beloved wife of George E. Cottrell who was her high school sweetheart. They married in 1952 and spent 53 years together raising their nine children on the Battle Acres Farm in Walloomsac, NY. Dolly was the loving mother to Helen "Terri", Edward (JoEllen), George "Mike", Pamela, Gary Lee, Mark (Wendy), Gerald "Bits", Laura (Paul) and Jeffrey (Mary). She was a devoted grandmother and "Gigi" to sixteen grandchildren, and seventeen great-grandchildren with two more on the way!
Dolly loved raising her children and her life on the farm. She was the glue that held everyone together. The family farmhouse was the host of many family gatherings over the years and she was well known for her meals that could feed her army as well as any cousins that may be seated at the table. Her famous spaghetti sauce, red macaroni and cheese, and "sinkers" are a few of the family favorites.
Dolly and George shared a lifelong friendship with Aileen and Burt Luke of East Hoosick, NY. The men served as each other's best man in their weddings and the couples both raised large dairy farm families.
The Cottrell Family would like to express our sincerest gratitude to Dr. Marcus Martinez for his years of providing compassionate care to Margaret.
We would also like to thank the Centers for Living and Rehabilitation for caring for "Ma" as if she were family. We are eternally grateful and know that she will be missed by many.
Due to covid restrictions, services will be held privately for the family at Mahar Funeral Home in Hoosick Falls, NY on Friday March 26th. There will be a Catholic mass to celebrate her life at the Immaculate Conception Church in Hoosick Falls on a later date to be determined by family. She will be placed beside her husband George at St. Mary’s Cemetery on Hill Road in Hoosick Falls.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in her memory to The Centers for Living and Rehabilitation, 160 Hospital Drive in Bennington, VT. 05201; or to the Karen McGovern Fund through the Mahar Funeral Home, 43 Main Street in Hoosick Falls, NY., 12090
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