Cynthia Rae Cote

Cynthia Rae Cote was born on September 10, 1961, and passed away on December 28, 2025. She lived a hard life-but never a selfish one. Every meaningful thing she did was done out of kindness, without expectation, and often at her own expense.
She lived to help people. Not for praise, not for recognition-but because it was simply who she was. Cynthia gave, even when she had little. She went without so others would not have to. She never asked for anything in return.
A survivor in every sense of the word, Cynthia overcame lung cancer and lived as a recovering addict with over 20 years of sobriety, a testament to her strength, discipline, and commitment to growth. Her resilience was quiet but formidable.
Cynthia was fiercely intelligent and deeply compassionate. She earned dual master's degrees in Psychology and Criminal Justice, driven by a lifelong desire to understand people and systems-and to help others navigate both. She was also a skilled machinist, working for Great Plains Industries for over a decade, all while raising her children as a single mother. Everything she accomplished-academically, professionally, and personally-she did on her own, through grit, perseverance, and heart.
She is survived by her three children, listed in birth order:
Joseph "Joey" Amato and his wife, Ashlee Amato; Anthony Amato and his wife, Tori Amato; and Gregory Amato.
Cynthia was a devoted grandmother to Aaliyah Amato, Adriana Amato, Dewayne Stripling, Little Greg Amato, Lyric Amato, Madison Adkins, and She was a proud great-grandmother to Kyomi Jones Alara Oliver, and Italia Stripling Her love for her grandchildren and great-grandchildren knew no bounds and was among the greatest joys of her life.
She is also survived by her sister, Judy Ritchie, who shared her earliest memories and remains a keeper of her story.
Cynthia loved spring and believed in beginnings. She loved all flowers, but was so especially loved carnations, she found joy in Easter-her favorite holiday-and embraced what it symbolized: renewal, hope, and light. She enjoyed Grey's Anatomy, the rhythm and energy of Zumba, and the simple comfort of companionship.
She deeply loved her pets-her loyalty dog Buster and her cat Shadow-who brought her comfort, routine, and unconditional presence.
Cynthia Rae Cote lived with grit, generosity, and a heart that never closed.
She worked.
She endured.
She gave.
She loved.
And everything she did, she did out of the goodness of her heart