Laurie (Hamilton) Cote

Williamsburg, MA - Laurie Hamilton Cote died peacefully, with her son Cameron at her side, on August 10, 2024 at Belmont Manor nursing facility, after living with early-onset dementia for several years. She was 70 years old. Laurie was born June 2, 1954 in Barre, VT, to the late Jean L. and Jean B. Hamilton, whom she loved deeply. Early on, the family moved to Glens Falls, NY, where she spent her formative years.

After graduating from Glens Falls High School, she went on to pursue a bachelor's degree in art history at SUNY Cortland and a master's degree in special education at Johnson State College in Vermont. She worked as a service coordinator for the Massachusetts Department of Developmental Services for more than 30 years.

In 1992, she married Craig Cote of Wilbraham. The couple had two sons before eventually divorcing. Laurie settled in Williamsburg, where she bought a house and proudly raised her two boys on her own.

Throughout her life, Laurie spent as much time as she could at the family cottage on Joe's Pond in Cabot, Vermont, where generations of her extended family enjoyed summer vacations. Always active and energetic, she loved to hike, downhill and cross-country ski, and take long walks with friends. She read widely and was a familiar face at the local library. Drawing remained a passion right up to the end.

Laurie's network of friends stayed loyal even as advancing dementia stole so much from her. Her son Cam was her steady caregiver throughout her illness.

She is survived by sons William and Cameron; siblings Russel Hamilton, John "Jeb" Hamilton and wife Jill, Lynn Hamilton, and Ann Dingman and husband Karl, along with many adored cousins, nieces and nephews, and in-laws.

A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. Aug. 31, at the Williamsburg Congregational Church.

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