Essie Mary Cotterell

Essie Mary Cotterell was born Essie Mary Olive Myrick on October 3, 1923 in Barnwell South Carolina to Cassell (né Kirkland) and Phillip Cohen Myrick. Early in her life she moved with her family to Saint Augustine, Florida, where she attended local schools. After high school, she received her nursing degree at Grady Memorial Hospital in Atlanta. She joined the Army Nurse Corps towards the end of World War II as an RN and served her country stateside. After the war, she left the Army and moved to California.

She met her husband William Cotterell on a blind date and they were married on September 9, 1950. They had been married for 59 years at the time of his death on January 24, 2010. They are survived by their three children, Sharon Cotterell, Paula Cotterell and Norman Cotterell; son-in-laws Greg King and Thomas Chilton and daughter-in-law Tuesday Vanstory as well as their six grandchildren, Matthew King, Rachel King, Martha King, Michaela Chilton, Phillip Chilton, Joshua Cotterell, Jamie Cotterell and one great grandson Khyler King. They have also left behind numerous nieces, nephews, grandnieces, grandnephews and their two Chihuahuas, Solomon and Danny Boy.

Bill and Essie moved to Rancho Village in Palmdale in 2009, after living in Victorville for several years. They made many new friends there with whom they enjoyed dining and visiting. In recent months Essie was frequently not able to join her friends in the dining hall, but when she did, the conversation was spirited and lively wherever she sat. Being around her friends often renewed her spirit and allowed her to forget her health problems for a while.

Essie will be remembered for her vivacious personality and loving nature. She was a talented sculptor. She embraced modern technology and enjoyed using computers and her ipod. She enjoyed traveling the world and when her lung capacity diminished, she didn’t allow it to slow her down. She continued traveling, carrying her portable oxygen tank on her shoulder. When walking became difficult, she began walking with a cane. She enjoyed helping others and worked for several years as a hospice volunteer. She and William were avid square dancers, and traveled in their RV to dance conventions all over California.

Essie had a memorable personality, and many adjectives have been used by family and friends to describe her personality. She was a woman of amazing wisdom, a diva, spunky and spicy, a counselor, artist, humorist, and loving friend.

Essie died at her home in Palmdale, California with her daughter Paula and her caregiver Virginia at her side.

Arrangements under the direction of Eternal Valley Memorial Park Mortuary, Newhall, CA.