Obituary of Wendy Cote

To view the Celebration of Wendy's Life. Please CLICK HERE

Wendy Rae Cote (nee Harder) of Brandon, Manitoba, passed away peacefully surrounded by family on A3 Palliative Care at Brandon Regional Health Centre on Thursday, April 13, 2023. Wendy was born February 6, 1953 in Morris, Manitoba. She was the 2^nd of 4 children born to Donald and Gladys (nee Dyck) Harder. The family moved from Lowe Farm to Letellier to Winnipeg and finally settled in Dauphin when Wendy was 12. Wendy had wonderful memories of time with Grandparents, Uncles, Aunts and cousins on the maternal and paternal family farms while growing up in Southern Manitoba.

Wendy spent her teen years in Dauphin where she met and eventually married Brent Cote in July 1972. They moved to Brandon and shortly after had Chris, followed by Carmen, Steven and Jarret.  Wendy worked in Dietary at the Brandon General Hospital in the early years, and then cleaned rooms at the Trails West Hotel off and on while the raising the kids. Wendy and Brent divorced in 1992 and Wendy started at Leech Printing that same year where she worked for 20 years until her health forced her to retire in 2012.

Wendy started dating her soul mate, Al Gowans, in 1994. Al was by her side throughout her battle with lung cancer and COPD and her children will be forever grateful for the wonderful care he showed their mom.

Throughout her life, Wendy always enjoyed time spent with family.  As a young girl she most enjoyed time on the family farms.  As a mom, time was spent with her kids at Curran Park or camping at Spruce Woods, and with visits to see the Cote’s in Dauphin and the Harder’s in Lowe Farm and Lockport. As she got older, she was able to make a few cherished trips to BC to visit her siblings. Once the grandchildren came along, most of her time was spent with them, much of it being at Minnedosa beach where Al’s family had a cabin.

Wendy also very much enjoyed music, being a fan of the Beatles since 1964, and seeing many concerts over the years including Paul McCartney, David Bowie, Rod Stewart and many more.  Wendy and Al also attended Classic Rock/Rockin the Fields for many years until her health prevented her from doing so.

Wendy is survived by her loving partner Al Gowans, her children Chris (Lori-Ann) Cote, Carmen (Clay) Cote, Steven (Melanie) Cote, Jarret Cote; grandchildren Caitlin (Joel) Cote, Jacob Cote, Heidi Rodger and Paul Cote; ex-husband Brent Cote; siblings Connie (Terry) Brooks, Darlene (James) Martin, and Jeff (Christa) Harder; Uncle Wilfred “Butch” (Joyce) Harder, Aunt Lorraine Harder and many cousins, nieces and nephews. Wendy is also survived by Al’s brother Robert (Tracy) Gowans, her special sisters-in-law Margaret (Rob) Macdearmid and Jean (Roger) Langston and their families, as well as the extended Gowans and Cote families.

Wendy is predeceased by her dad Donald Harder in 1991, mom Gladys Harder in 1974, her best friend Yvonne Alderson last year, and many special grandparents, uncles and aunts.

A service celebrating Wendy’s life took place at Brockie Donovan on Friday, April 21, 2023.

The family would like to thank everyone who attended in person and virtually, and everyone who sent messages, flowers, cards and thoughts during this difficult time.

Donations in Wendy’s name can be made to A3 Palliative c/o the Brandon Regional Health Centre Foundation, 150 McTavish Ave. E., Brandon, MB, R7A 2B3 or to a charity of your choice.