Obituary of Mary Margaret Cotter

Mary Margaret Cotter, longtime 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.  Mary was an accomplished golfer in her high school years and an excellent pianist.  She was routinely 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 Bachelor’s 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 Master’s 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 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. 

Special thanks to all of her friends in her neighborhood who kept an eye on Mary and often lent her a helping hand.  Mary was predeceased by her parents, and her sister, Michele Marie (Cotter) Tuchscherer.  She is survived by her brother, Michael William (Patricia) Cotter (Helena, Montana) and children; her brother-in-law, H. James Tuchscherer (Bozeman, Montana) and children; and her aunt and uncle, Nancy and Paul Caine (San Diego, California); as well as numerous cousins, nieces and nephews and grand nieces and nephews.  Mary will be buried in Miles City, Montana in the family plot next to her Mom and Dad.   

There will be a celebration of Mary’s life, the venue and date of which will be announced later.  Mary was lifetime Democrat.  Any memorial donation in Mary’s name may be given to the Democratic Party or to the charity of one’s choice.