Rita Boyce Cote

Rita Boyce Cote, founding administrator of Saint David Catholic Church in Davie, Florida died July 27, 2018 at the age of 89. Born September 16, 1928 in Orchard Park, New York, Rita was the second of 5 children. She grew up on the vegetable farm owned by her parents and learned the value of hard work at an early age. She married her first husband, Alan Boyce, in 1950 and had two sons, Arthur Boyce born in 1951 and David Boyce born in 1953. Tragically, Alan died in 1957 from heart complications leaving Rita to raise the two boys on her own. She moved her young family to south Florida in 1960 from Buffalo, New York in search of job opportunities and a lower cost of living. She worked assorted jobs in the area as she struggled to make ends meet. She eventually took a job with Saint Gregory Catholic Church in Plantation, Florida as an office administrator. She lived in Plantation with her young family and her sister Berniece Riehle. Once again tragedy struck in 1973, when her son David was killed in a tractor accident at the age of 19. She believed it was divine providence when she met Father Gabriel O’Reilly in 1974. He asked her to join him as the parish manager in the newly-created Catholic Church of Saint David. They held services at various locations in south Florida until they were able to break ground at S. University Drive in Davie for a 600-seat capacity church. For the next 20 years, they built the church together. In 1983, a school was opened with an enrollment of 100 students. In 1987, the church was expanded by another 600 seats. The school was also expanded over the years to its current capacity of 600 children. Rita served as the parish manager from 1974 until her ‘retirement’ in 1993. Since then Rita has served on nearly every committee and organization in the church. She served with her many friends in the following groups: Women’s Club, the Columbiettes, Hospitality, Hope Outreach, Pastoral Counsel, The Red Hats and the Lunch Bunch. She was especially adept and took great joy serving as Carnival Captain for the Soda Booth, Country Baking Booth, Hot Dog Booth and the Gabe Booth. Her energy and enthusiasm knew no bounds and she was very active with all her friends in these organizations until the time of her death. She married her second husband, Fred Cote, in 1984. Together they traveled the world, hosted numerous parties and events and sailed on cruise ships to Alaska and Hawaii. She was Grandma Rita to Fred’s 6 grandchildren and 7 great grandchildren. Rita was an integral part of the family, attending the numerous birthdays, holidays, graduations and weddings in the family. They were devoted to each other during their marriage. Rita cared for Fred during his illness with rheumatoid arthritis until his death in 2003. Rita shared a close relationship as well with her son Art and his wife, Sharon Boyce. She joined them on their many trips to Colorado and France. She enjoyed holidays and celebrations with Sharon’s 3 children and 4 great grandchildren. She was close to him until Art died of liver disease in 2013, shortly after the passing of her mentor Father Gabriel O’Reilly. Her daughter in law, Sharon died earlier this year. She is also pre deceased by Arthur’s daughter, Nicole, who died at an early age..   Rita enjoyed life in many different ways. She loved to cook and entertain. She enthusiastically followed her beloved Florida Marlins, loved to go dancing, have lunch with her friends and drink her favorite beer, Old Milwaukee. Her deep faith in God guided her and gave her comfort through all the challenges and tragedies she endured in her life. Her grace, strength and eternal optimism is an inspiration to her remaining family and friends.  She is survived by her sister Berniece Riehle; sons Richard Cote (Cindy) and Glenn Cote (Kathleen); grandchildren Julie Gibson (Christopher) and Jessica Tempel (Troy), Christopher Cote (April), Tara Cote (Paul), Brendan and Derek Cote; great grandchildren Chelsea Zuver (Josh), Ryan and Nicholas Thompson, Tessa and Josey Tempel, Charlie and Arianna Cote. She also leaves behind grandchildren Philicia McCauley (Earl), Nondo Capuano (Carol), Desiree Aoki (Luciano) and great grandchildren Alec and Jessey Rusch, Clarissa Capuano and Benjamin Aoki. She will be missed by her numerous beloved nieces, nephews and cousins who meet together for family reunions in the Buffalo, New York area. Funeral services are to be held at Saint David Catholic Church in Davie on September 10, 2018 at 10:00 a.m. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Saint David Building Fund.