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This memorial website was created to remember my beautiful mother Elaine Marie "Lanie" Cota who was born in Maine on November 10, 1962 and passed away on November 25, 2012. My mother was a beautiful and free soul who touched the hearts of each and every person she came in contact with. Her smile could light up a thousand rooms...her laughter could make the sun shine brighter.
In late 2000, my mother realized something was horribly wrong with her body. Her skin crawled and she couldn't stop itching. She felt ill. Doctors tried for 2 years to diagnose her properly...many tests were done. Finally, in 2002, my mother was diagnosed with Celiac Disease, Autoimmune Hepatitis, and Primary Biliary Cirrhosis. The Celiac Disease was a rising problem here in the United States, the allergy to gluten. The Autoimmune Hepatitis and Primary Biliary Cirrhosis were another story. They were rare liver diseases passed through genetics and possibly as a result from undiagnosed Celiac Disease. She fought long and hard to overcome her two liver diseases. She made many trips to specialists in Boston, took more medications (she called them her cereal bowl full) than you could ever imagine, and prayed every day for her health. In December of 2011, right before Christmas, as I sat with her at Tufts Medical Center in Boston, MA, my mother was told that she needed a liver transplant. Tears sprang to her eyes and my arms held her tight...we both sobbed for what seemed like forever. She looked at me and said, "Merry Christmas huh?" Her specialist referred her to the Lahey Clinic in Massachusetts, a place that could put her on a donor list to receive a liver. My mother continued to fight, her health slowly diminishing. In September of 2012, she was admitted to Southern Maine Medical Center for cellulitis of the leg. She was released after 8 days, but the antibiotics had taken a toll on her liver. Her health began to diminish at a more rapid rate after this hospital stay. Her analysis for a liver transplant continued at the Lahey Clinic, but you could visibly see the need for a transplant becoming greater every day and she hadn't even been placed on a donor list yet. On October 6th, 2012, I threw my mother a 50th birthday bash. Her spirits were high, her faith in God unwavering. She returned to work in November for only 2 days, the week of Thanksgiving 2012. During those days, her health took a huge downward spiral. On Thanksgiving, my mother had lost all of her strength and needed to go to the hospital. She was admitted to the hospital that night and never returned home. My beautiful mother went home to God on November 25th, 2012 after a 12 year battle with her diseases.
In her honor, a team has been formed for the Annual Liver Walk with the American Liver Foundation. You can donate to this cause by visiting the team page at:
http://go.liverfoundation.org/site/TR/LiverLifeWalk2013/LiverLifeWalk?team_id=40850&pg=team&fr_id=3450
Elaine M. Cota, 50
BIDDEFORD -- Elaine 'Lanie' Marie Cota, 50, of Biddeford, passed away on Sunday, Nov. 25, 2012, surrounded by her family and friends after a long and courageous fight against liver disease.
Lanie was a beautiful soul, once you met and got to know her. She imprinted her love and kindness on your heart forever. Lanie loved to ride her Harley Fat Boy. She enjoyed going on bike runs for local benefits and her yearly trip to the Rendezvous. She also enjoyed spontaneous weekend rides with her life partner, Steve.
Lanie attended Windham schools and lived in Windham for the majority of her life. She was also recently voted in as an accepted member of the Order of the Eastern Star in Saco.
Lanie enjoyed bringing her boat out on the lake to go fishing and outfishing Steve. She also loved to go hunting and camping. Lanie loved to spend time with her daughter, Jenn. She loved going to local events and listen to her sing.
Lanie and Jenn could often be found sitting around talking about anything, everything, or sometimes nothing at all. They had a bond like no other.
Lanie loved music. You could always hear her tapping her feet when a good southern rock or bluegrass song would come on the radio. She also enjoyed going to local bluegrass festivals.
Lanie was employed by the State of Maine Department of Transportation for the last 23 1/2 years. She currently held the position of Highway Crew Supervisor in York. She enjoyed her job and the crew she supervised. Lanie was predeceased by her father, Ernest Cota; and brother, Daniel Cota of Windham. She is survived by her life partner, Stephen Michaud of Biddeford; his three children, Josh, Vince and Khristen who were like her own; a daughter, Jennifer Raymond of Standish; her mother, Linda Cota of Windham; four sisters, Cindy Nicholson of Limington, Chris Cota of Windham, Debby Cota of Gorham and Lisa Theberge of Windham; and many nieces, nephews; and multiple close friends.
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