Newmarket - Barbara E. Cote, 74, of New Road, passed away peacefully surrounded by her loving family on May 22, 2012 at Exeter Hospital after a brief and courageous battle with cancer.

Born February 1, 1938 in Manchester, NH, she was the daughter of Ralph S. and Clara (Freeman) Peterson. Raised in Manchester, Barbara attended St. Joseph’s School and graduated from Central High School in 1955.

In her early years she was an avid bowler and held a high single lane record. Barbara was an amazing Wife, Mother, Grandmother, Sister and Friend! She was very active in her children’s lives, including being team leaders in 4-H, boys and girl scouts in their early years.

She moved to Newmarket in 1971, where she joined the Catholic Daughter’s of America. She also enjoyed her time as a HAM radio operator and past president of the WRONE. Barbara was an avid fan of the Red Sox and Celtic’s.

Prior to her retirement she enjoyed her time as an employee at the National Passport Center, in Portsmouth. Upon retirement she devoted herself to her husband, family and her grandkids! She took great pleasure in attending her grandchildren’s sporting events, recitals etc.

Barbara and her husband Armand wintered in Port Charlotte, FL for several years, where she had many wonderful friends.

Barbara is survived by her adoring husband of 50 years, Armand Cote of Newmarket; their three children, Gregg Cote and his wife Jennifer of Newmarket, Susan Sheehan and her husband Thomas of Dover, and Kenneth Cote and his wife Jillian of Newmarket; 5 loving grandchildren whom she so adored, Amelia Cote, Lance Cote, Cody Sheehan, Conner Sheehan, and Addison Sheehan; her beloved siblings, Gloria Haskell of Hooksett, Dorothy Mitchell of Manchester, Virginia Levesque of Manchester and Thomas Peterson of Florida; her dear friends Sandy and Kevin King; many nieces and nephews and her faithful dog Shelle.

Barbara was predeceased by her parents, and siblings: Ralphie Peterson and Joan Cray.

Visiting hours will be held at the Kent & Pelczar Funeral Home, 77 Exeter Street, Newmarket, on Friday, June 1st from 4:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m., followed by a 6:30 p.m. Prayer Service.

The family would like to acknowledge the compassionate and dedicated staff that helped us in her journey. Thank you to the staff at Portsmouth Regional Hospital, Exeter on Hampton Rehabilitation Center, her visiting nurses, as well as Lahey Clinic and Exeter Hospital.

In lieu of flowers, should friends and family desire, memorials may be made to the American Cancer Society, 2 Commerce Drive, Bedford, NH 03110.

Visit www.kentandpelczarfh.com to sign an online guestbook.