Born in Fall River, she was the daughter of the late Leo and Margaret (Morris) Coppinger.
In addition to being a homemaker, Rita loved spending time with her family and caring for her grandchildren and great-grandchildren as well as spoiling her grand dogs. She spent her summers on Cape Cod and enjoyed vacationing on Marco Island.
She is survived by three daughters, Sheila Stringer and her husband Robert of Tiverton, Kathleen Turner of Barrington, RI, and Dawn Brown and her husband George of South Dartmouth; four grandchildren, Christian LeBlanc, Sarah Federico, Justin Turner, and Caitlin Bratton; six great-grandchildren, Christian and Kenleigh LeBlanc, Annabelle and Oliver Bratton, Samuel Federico, and Dulce Turner-Gomez and several nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her husband of 55 years, Ernest L. Cote, grandson, Jared Campbell, and her three sisters, Theresa Broadbent, Eileen Krawetz, and Nancy Howard.
Her Funeral Mass will be held on Wednesday, March 29, 2023 at 11:00AM in Holy Trinity Church, 951 Stafford Rd., Fall River. Relatives and friends are invited. Her visitation will be held on Tuesday, March 28, 2023 from 4:00 to 7:00 PM in Waring-Sullivan Home at Cherry Place, 178 Winter St., Fall River.
Contributions in her honor may be made to the ALS Massachusetts Chapter, 685 Canton St. #103, Norwood, MA 02062. Burial private.
