Obituary of Judith A. "Judy" Cotsovites

CANASTOTA . . . Judith A. "Judy" Cotsovites, 86, of 125 Caroline Street, Canastota, passed away on Wednesday, June 5, 2024, at Oneida Health, following complications resulting from dementia. She was born on October 8, 1937, in Canastota, the daughter of the late Harold and Edythe (Hopke) Smith. Judy lived in Canastota most of her life, and upon retiring she spent winters in Cary, NC. She was a 1955 graduate of Canastota High School, and later attended St. Elizabeth's Hospital School of Nursing in Utica. During high school she played sports, and later coached softball and enjoyed watching all of her children's and grandchildren's sporting events. She had worked for the Canastota Post Office for 25 years, retiring in 1997. Previously she had worked for General Electric and Carrier Corp., in Syracuse, as well as Vernon Downs. Judy was a very active member of the AARP, and wrote articles for the monthly newsletter, among other things. She was also a member of the Canastota-Lenox Senior Citizen's Club. She enjoyed coin collecting, and traveling on AARP bus trips. Judy also enjoyed traveling on family vacations, the most memorable was to Riveria Maya where she ziplined twenty times at XPLORE Park over the forests of Mexico. She loved animals, especially dogs and cats, and spending time with her family. Judy was an active member of St. Agatha's Church, Canastota, where she was an adorer and lector. She married Constantine A. "Connie" Cotsovites on September 22, 1957, in Endicott. Connie passed away on July 13, 2008. Surviving are: one son, Michael Cotsovites of Canastota; two daughters and a sons-in-law, Karen and Thomas DiGaspari of Canastota, and Kristi and Anthony Riley of Oneida; a sister-in-law, Rosemary "Reggie" Smith of Rome, NY; three granddaughters, Carrie and Chad Hodkinson, Renee Todora, and Nicole and James Spero; seven great grandchildren, Jasmine Spero, Brianna Spero, Makenzie Spero, Riley Hodkinson, Emily Hodkinson, Alexandria "Allie" Todora, and Nico Todora; one niece, Kathleen and Michael Roser; and one nephew, Scott and Nicole Smith. Judy was predeceased by a brother, Dennis Smith. Calling hours will be held from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. on Friday, June 14, 2024, at St. Agatha's Church, 329 N. Peterboro Street, Canastota. A funeral mass will follow at 10:30 a.m. at the church. The Rev. Christopher J. Ballard, Pastor, will officiate. Interment will be in Mt. Pleasant Cemetery, Canastota. Arrangements are under the supervision of the J. Homer Ball Funeral Home, Inc., 201 James Street, Canastota. In her memory, contributions may be made to the Alzheimer's Association, Attn: Donor Services, 225 N. Michigan Avenue, Floor 17, Chicago, IL 60601, or to Wanderers' Rest Humane Association, Inc., PO Box 535, Canastota, NY 13032.