Marjorie Eleanor Cotterill, 97, of Tavares, passed away November 17, 2024. She was born May 22, 1927, in Syracuse, New York, daughter of the late Adrian and Blanche Glazier. She married Lewis W. Cotterill on May 25, 1945.
Marge grew up in Virgil and later Dryden, New York, with her parents and two younger brothers, Bob and Arnie. She was a child during the Great Depression and was a teenage volunteer in WWII, searching the skies for German aircraft. She married Lew in 1945, raised two children, and was happily married for 66 years. She and Lew travelled extensively. They had strong friendships and worked hard. After retirement, Marge spent years supporting Shriner’s Hospital for Children through her work at the Lake County Shrine Club and the Bahia Temple in Orlando. Later she volunteered to support the Tavares Lions Club’s vision projects. Her early childhood home had no electricity, yet she lived to experience a world of hand-held computers and artificial intelligence. She liked politics, loved her family, and had a wonderful sense of humor. She was truly loved by all who knew her.
Marge is survived by two children, Shirley (Mac) Staley and Jim (Nancy) Cotterill; five grandchildren, Tracey (Ron) Cappelli, Tammy (Jackie) Staley, Chris (Melissa) Cotterill, Mike (LeeAnn) Staley, and Ted (Sarai) Cotterill; nine great grandchildren, Annie (Jason) Beojekian, Becca Cappelli, Brie (Taran) Speer, Allyssa Staley-Ross, Nick (Ashley) Staley, Jess (Ryan) Bailey, Katie Cotterill, Jack Cotterill, and Henry Cotterill as well as three great-great grandchildren, Malcom Manzer, Cayde Beojekian, and Nico Speer.
Visitation will be held on Thursday, December 5, from 1:00 p.m. to 1:30 p.m. at Steverson Hamlin & Hilbish, 226 E. Burleigh Blvd., Tavares. The funeral service will follow directly after visitation. Interment will be at Tavares Cemetery and Arboretum, 2055 Dead River Road, Tavares.