Della Cote

LACONIA ---- Della Fern Wade Cote Camire Jordan, 90, born November 8, 1935, in Boston, Massachusetts, to Ira Snowden Wade and Alberta Freda Wade, passed away peacefully on Sunday, March 8, 2026, surrounded by her loving family.

She grew up in New Hampshire and graduated from Alton High School in 1953.

Della married Armand Rodney Cote on May 1, 1955, and together they built a family until his passing on October 13, 2001. She later married Norman Camire, who also preceded her in death. On November 21, 2008, she married Donald Jordan, with whom she shared the rest of her days on Earth.

Della and Don especially cherished the ten winters they spent together in Zephyrhills, Florida, where they made many happy memories.

She is survived by her five children and their spouses: Sherry and Bruce Batchelder, Nina and Bret Reid, Michelle and Tony Tine, Jamie and Deborah Cote, and Kendra and Steve Hooper. She was preceded in death by her beloved son, Derek Cote, who passed on December 16, 2017, and is survived by his wife, Tammy Cote.

Della was blessed with 28 grandchildren and 40 great grandchildren, each of whom brought her immeasurable joy. Her posterity was the pride of her life, and she treasured every moment spent with them. She will be remembered lovingly as "Crazy Gramma."

Della's life was also richly shaped by her dearest lifelong friends-Joyce Peverly, Dick and Star Dickerson, Justine Whitney, and Helen Brosnan. These friendships were a constant source of laughter, support, and shared memories throughout every season of her life.

Throughout her life, Della worked in roles that reflected her love for people and her natural gift for connection. She spent many years in the telecommunications industry as a switchboard operator at Lakes Region General Hospital as well as a telephone operator for AT&T. It was during these years that her lifelong love for phone conversations developed. If she wasn't enjoying ice cream, there was a good chance she was on a phone call with any one of her family. This led to her affectionate nickname of "Delephone" because she always seemed to be on the phone.

Many in the community also knew her as the crossing guard for Woodland Heights Elementary School, where her warm smile, gentle wave, and protective presence became a comforting part of daily life for many children, including a few of her own children as well as grandchildren.

A lifelong member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Della served faithfully in many leadership roles and callings. Her service was marked by compassion, steadiness, and a sincere desire to lift and strengthen others. She touched innumerable lives in profound ways within her congregation and throughout the community.

Della will be remembered as one of the kindest and most loving people you could ever know. She was funny, quick witted, and always found a way to make others laugh. She found joy in simple pleasures-especially dancing at concerts in Alton Bay, where her bright spirit was always on full display. Her greatest joy, however, was being with her family and serving them with unwavering love and tenderness.

Her legacy is one of faith, service, and a heart that always made room for others.

She will be deeply missed and lovingly remembered by all who had the blessing of knowing her.

A Calling Hour will be held on Saturday, March 14, 2026, from 12:00pm-1:00pm, in the Primary Room, with a service immediately to follow in the chapel, at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1242 Old N Main Street, Laconia, NH 03246.

Burial will be held in the spring at Union Cemetery, Academy Street, Laconia, NH.

Wilkinson-Beane-Simoneau-Paquette Funeral Home & Cremation Services/603Cremations.com, 164 Pleasant St., Laconia, NH, 03246, is assisting the family with arrangements. For more information and to view an online memorial, please visit wilkinsonbeane.com.