Alice Cotton

Alice T. Cotton

March 19, 1923 – April 25, 2021

Alice T. Cotton of  West Caldwell, NJ passed away peacefully of natural causes on Sunday, April 25, 2021 surrounded by her family.  Predeceased by her parents Archie and Kenar Terzian of Darien, Connecticut, loving husband of 49 years, Robert A. Cotton, her brother Leon Terzian of West Norwalk, Connecticut, beloved mom, mother-in-law and grandmother, she is survived by her sister Evelyn Gallaher of Darien, Connecticut, her daughter Cathy of West Caldwell, her son Thomas, wife Elaina and granddaughter Falon Cotton of Point Pleasant, NJ.

Born and raised in Darien, Connecticut, she graduated Darien High School and went on to study Music Education at Julliard School of Music in New York (Piano) she graduated Ithica College in Ithica, New York with a B.S. Degree in Music Education.

She taught Music Education in Painted Post High School, Painted Post, NY, Islip High School, Islip, NY, Burdick High School, Stamford, Connecticut, Linden Schools #1, #5 and #10, Linden, NJ, Hillside Junior High School, Montclair, NJ, Head Start Program, Bethel Park, PA, then the Caldwell, West Caldwell Public Schools being the more recent.

Alice joined many activities which included Member of the Music Educators Association, Chairman Women’s Council, Craftsman Council of Engineers, Women’s Council of St. Mary’s Armenian Church in Livingston, NJ, she volunteered at St. Peters Church of Essex Fells, NJ Opp Shop.

Alice also taught many, many students how to play piano in West Caldwell at our home from Monday to Friday from 2pm to 8pm and still found time to check our homework, cook meals, clean the house, do errands and food shopping.  We are still amazed at the motivation she had.

She was a Girl Scout leader and an active parishioner at St. Peters Church in Essex Fells, NJ and lived in West Caldwell for over 50 years.

The expectations that mom had for us children were high.  Although we stumbled at times, she always expected us to match or exceed those expectations and always kept us pointed in the right direction.  She used to say “ it’s not what you meant to do, it’s what you do do, that makes a difference!”.  She always said that “you always have to do the right thing, if you don’t, then it will come back to you, not in a good way.  So, take your time and do it right the first time!”

We shall not be discouraged by Alice’s death, but even more encouraged by her life.  It will inspire us to always do and be the best that we can be.  We will love you mom forever and may you Rest in Peace.

Funeral service in the Galante Funeral Home 54 Roseland Ave. in Caldwell on Wednesday at 10AM.

Visitation on Tuesday from 6 -  8PM.

Interment Private.

In lieu of flowers, please donate to moms favorite charities, St. Jude’s Hospital for Children and the Shriners of Philadelphia.

Please see below.