Dorothy E Coates

Dorothy E. (Salmon) Coates, 78, of Worcester, passed away on Holy Saturday, April 19, 2014, in the Home and Hospice Care Center in Providence, Rhode Island. She is now with her Lord and Savior and with her beloved husband, Raymond Coates, who predeceased her in January 1993. Dorothy is survived by her loving children, two daughters, Pamela L. Fisher and her fiancé Orlando Semedo and Florence E. Potter of Boston; ten sons, Carthur A. Fisher, Jr. and his wife Laura of Derry, NH, Dennis R. Fisher of Worcester, Rodney B. Fisher of Lowell, Mark A. Fisher and his wife Robin of Worcester, Derrick H. Fisher of Georgia, Gary E. Fisher of New Boston, NH, Dean A. Fisher and his wife Luz of Worcester and Brazil, Richard L. Fisher and his wife Meghan of Manchester, Michael R. Fisher and his wife Danielle of Minneapolis and Raymond Coates, Jr. of Manchester. She is also survived by thirty-four grandchildren, twenty-two great grandchildren; a brother, Richard Salmon of Newton; two sisters, Shirley Dunn and Linda Rowlett both of Worcester; many nieces, nephews, cousins and friends. She was predeceased by two brothers and three sisters, Willie Salmon, Theodore J. Salmon, Laura L. Whitaker, Pearl M. Ray-Miller and Elizabeth L. Price. Dorothy was born in Worcester, daughter of the late Leroy and Lillian Mae (Rutherford) Salmon and has lived here all her life. Dorothy graduated from Commerce High School in 1953 and earned a Degree in Education from UMass Amherst, in 1975. She dedicated her career to the education of young minds. She was an elementary teacher in the Worcester Public School system for over twenty-eight years, with a special interest in special education, retiring in 2003. Upon her retirement she was honored by The Massachusetts State Senate and Massachusetts House of Representatives, for her many years of dedicated service to the young people of Worcester. She was also honored by the Quinsigamond Elementary School, for her many years there. Her children remember fondly that she was honored as "Woman of The Year", as well. She also did child care and foster care in her home-with Dorothy, it was all about the children. She was a member of Belmont A.M.E. Zion Church, the Nakomis Temple of the Quinsigamond Lodge of Elks and Massachusetts Teachers Association. Calling hours for Dorothy will be held on Friday, April 25, from 4 p.m. until 7 p.m. in MERCADANTE FUNERAL HOME & CHAPEL, 370 Plantation Street, Worcester. Her Funeral will be on Saturday, April 26, at 10 a.m. in Belmont A.M.E. Zion Church, 55 Illinois Street, Worcester (Please meet at church). Interment will follow in Hope Cemetery. In lieu of flowers please make donations to the Dorothy Coates Scholarship Fund at www.forevermissed.com/dorothycoates .