Mary Margaret Cotter, long time resident of Olympia, Washington, died November 16, 2018 of natural causes. Her brother Michael was at her side. She was born October 12, 1954, in Tacoma, Washington to William John Cotter and Margaret Mary (Caine) Cotter and was the grand-daughter of long-time Miles City residents Jack and Kitty Cotter. Mary spent many memorable summers and holidays visiting family in Miles City and has now returned to be buried next to her Mom and Dad, grandparents and Aunt Mary Faye Cotter. The family all agreed that the Bucking Horse Sale weekend was the best time to give Mary a fine send- off.
Mary was an accomplished golfer in her high school years and an excellent pianist. She was often called upon at friends’ and family gatherings to entertain. She was proud of her Irish Catholic heritage and the closeness enjoyed by her family. Lessons taught at the kitchen table instilled in her a tolerance of others. As a result, Mary was a lifelong supporter of liberal causes.
She graduated from the University of Portland with a Bachelors of Business Administration (1977). Following graduation, she began her professional life in the insurance industry. Subsequently, Mary went on to Gonzaga University to obtain a Masters of Business Administration (1980), then on to University of Puget Sound (now Seattle University School of Law) to obtain her Juris Doctorate (1988). Following admission to the Washington State Bar, Mary launched her professional career as a trial lawyer defending indigent defendants in and around Vancouver, Washington. Given her trial skills and expertise in the insurance industry, particularly health care, she was then recruited to work in the Washington Insurance Commissioner’s Office, providing counsel to Commissioners and regulating insurers who provided medical health insurance plans to the citizens of Washington. She enjoyed her work at the Insurance Commissioner’s Office knowing that she was protecting consumers.
Mary was a single woman and remained a kid at heart throughout her adult life. Her nieces and nephews and children of friends flocked to her for laughs and entertainment. Mary will be remembered for her generosity and kindness extended to all people, but particularly for the kindness shown to her Mother, Margaret Mary, whom Mary took care of in her later years. Even in death Mary was generous as a donor so as to allow others to see, walk and recover from disabling injuries.
Mary was predeceased by her parents, her sister Michele Marie (Cotter) Tuchscherer and her favorite aunt, Mary Faye Cotter. She is survived by her brother Michael William (Patricia) Cotter (Helena, MT) and children, her brother- in-law, H. James Tuchscherer (Bozeman, MT) and children, and her aunt and uncle Nancy and Paul Caine of San Diego CA, as well as numerous cousins, nieces and nephews and grand nieces and nephews.
A Memorial Service will be held on Friday, May 17, 2019 at 11:00 a.m. at Stevenson & Sons Funeral Home in Miles City. Interment will follow in the Calvary Cemetery. Condolences may be sent to the family by visiting: www.stevensonandsons.com.
Mary was lifetime Democrat. Any memorial donation in Mary’s name can be given to the Democratic party or to the charity of one’s choice.
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