Betty Cotter

Dublin - Betty (Ritterhoff) Cotter of Dublin, Ohio and formerly of Dayton, Ohio, died on Sunday, September 14 at Dublin Glenn Memory Care in Dublin, Ohio. Betty was born on September 24, 1953, in Dayton, Ohio to Warren and Louise (Amicon) Ritterhoff. She was preceded in death by her parents, her brother, John Ritterhoff, and her cousin, Peg Chapin. She is survived by her loving husband of 50 years, Tom Cotter, their two children, Hayley Cotter and Shane Cotter, brother Jim (Terri) Ritterhoff, brother-in-law Jay (Norma) Cotter, nieces Shannon Cotter, Meghan Cotter, Lisa (Matt) Barnes, Kim (Shervin) Ritterhoff, Nikki (Jeff) DeHart, Kasey (Alex) Ohl, and Amanda (Tom) Margraf, and many cousins, great nieces and great nephews, and friends.

Betty attended St. Albert the Great Elementary School and Archbishop Alter High School in the Dayton, Ohio area. At Alter, she was a proud member of the Lancerette Dance Team. Following high school, she pursued her lifelong dream of becoming a nurse by enrolling at the St. Elizabeth School of Nursing, where she completed her studies and became a Registered Nurse in 1974-a profession she had aspired to since grade school. She met the love of her life, Tom Cotter, in May of 1973. The two were married April 25, 1975. They remained in Dayton until 1979, when they moved to Worthington, Ohio. They received the blessings of a lifetime with the arrival of their children Hayley in 1983 and Shane in 1991. Betty devoted herself wholeheartedly to raising her children, offering them unwavering support, guidance, and love throughout their formative years.

Betty was an extraordinarily compassionate woman who led a full, joyful, and abundant life. Wherever life took her, she formed meaningful bonds with people from all walks of life. Betty was a steadfast friend who gave freely of herself to those around her. She listened with empathy and offered comfort and support whenever it was needed. She cared deeply about the well-being of others, especially her family, who meant everything to her. Her life was grounded in faith and family, which remained her guiding values. She was a devout Catholic who enjoyed attending services at St. Brigid of Kildare Church, where she sang in the choir for many years. Her caring nature extended into the community as well, where she served on the Concord Township Board of Zoning Appeals, worked as an election official for Delaware County, volunteered at both hospice and the Columbus Zoo, and offered her talents as a school nurse.

Betty's love of sports and music stayed with her throughout her life. She took joy in coaching Hayley's elementary school softball team and volunteering with the Bishop Watterson Marching Band, proudly supporting Shane as a member. She was an avid reader, a skilled crocheter and knitter, and a talented cook. Her love of travel and gentle affection for animals were among her many endearing qualities. She had a special fondness for all things Canada. She cherished her time spent at the family cottage on Lake Nosbonsing in Bonfield, Ontario.

Her passing was peaceful, with Tom by her side. Her loss leaves a profound void in the hearts of all who knew her, but the memories she gave us and the tenderness of her spirit will endure, continually sustaining us.

The family wants to thank the nurses, aides and staff at Dublin Glenn Memory Care and Zusman Hospice who cared for Betty in her final years. Additionally, the family thanks the priests, deacons, eucharistic ministers, and staff at St. Brigid of Kildare for nurturing the Catholic faith that was such an important part of her life. A Memorial Mass will be held at 11:00 AM on Monday, September 29 at St. Brigid of Kildare Parish, 7179 Avery Road Dublin, Ohio 43017. Family will receive guests starting at 10:00 AM and following the service at a luncheon adjacent to the church at noon. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in her name to the Alzheimer's Association of Central Ohio https://www.alz.org/centralohio or Columbus Humane https://www.columbushumane.org/