Obituary

Phyllis (Buse) Cotter Raymond, 100, of Chippewa Township, passed away peacefully on Friday, June 26, 2026, at Celebration Villa of Chippewa.

Born in Mineola, New York, on May 16, 1926, she was the daughter of the late Frederic and Emily (Stauderman) Buse. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husbands, Warren Cotter and Roger Raymond; her grandson Christopher Cotter; and her sister-in-law, Dorothy “Dot” Buse.

Phyllis’ life was marked by steadfast resilience, lifelong learning, and calm determination. She faithfully kept her family connected across generations. Her legacy was built on family meals, holiday dinners, Sunday phone calls, and birthday cards. Her steady presence turned ordinary moments into lasting memories, and her open, generous heart made everyone feel welcomed and loved.

After the death of her first husband, Warren Cotter, Phyllis was 33 years old and raising four young children with steady determination and quiet strength. She helped define what it meant to be a modern woman before the phrase was commonly used, serving as president of the local Parent Teacher Organization, taking seven years of night classes earning her Banking Certificate through the American Institute of Banking at Hofstra University, and working for what is now Chase Bank where she worked at the same branch and greeted customers by name until her retirement 25 years later.

A few years before retirement, Phyllis married her long-time companion, Roger Raymond. Together, they loved life in Massapequa Park on Long Island, New York, and later enjoyed spending winters in Sarasota, Florida. In Sarasota, she continued her lifelong love of music and playing piano, became actively involved in many local committees, was crowned her community’s Wii Bowling champion, and earned her amateur ham radio license. She remained engaged and contributing there until the remarkable age of 98.

To be near her daughter, Phyllis moved to Chippewa Township, Pennsylvania at the age of 87. There she quickly became a fixture in the community. She was a dedicated walker, an active card player, a member of the Chippewa Women’s Club, and a member of St. Monica Church of St. Augustine Parish, where she participated in the VSP (Very Special People) Club. At the age of 90, Phyllis converted to Catholicism, a meaningful step in a life filled with faith and trust in God.

Phyllis loved to meet new people, introducing herself simply as “Nana.” She openly shared news of her 12 grandchildren, 17 great-grandchildren, and one great-great-grandchild on the way. Nana encouraged each of them to pursue their own interests and talents, and she marveled at their achievements. She was particularly proud of the 50-year history of family members attending SUNY Maritime College, her family’s service in the U.S. Coast Guard and U.S. Navy, and the many callings they pursued in engineering, port management, government, education, entertainment, communication, computer sciences, sales, and marketing.

Sunday phone calls were her norm. “Just checking in,” she would say, before launching into stories, updates, memories, and reflections, often peppered with her signature phrase, “In any event…” Her family encouraged her to finish her memoir, fittingly titled To Be Continued, because there were always more stories and more life she wanted to share.

Phyllis is survived by her children, William (Kathleen) Cotter, Warren “Peter” (Karen) Cotter, Timothy (Pamela) Cotter, and Phyllis (Richard) Faust; her brother, Frederic “Bill” Buse; her grandchildren, Lauren (P. Kevin) Brobson, Kristen (Mark Holland) Cotter, Justin (Jennifer), Cotter, Raymond (Molly) Cotter, Daniel Cotter, Timothy (Heather) Cotter, Matthew (Natassia) Cotter, Jaclyn Cotter, Stacey (Edward) DelBeccaro, Jodie (Aaron) Safer, and Phillip Faust; her great-grandchildren, Claire (Nathaniel) Stennett, R. William Brobson, Gabriel “Gabe” Brobson, Miranda Cotter-Holland, Phoebe Cotter-Holland, W. Michael Cotter, Megan Cotter, Liam Cotter, David Cotter, Ian Cotter, Jackson Cotter, Riley Cotter, Hayley Cotter, Cameron Cotter, Ruby Cotter, Eleanor “Nora” DelBeccaro, and Maya Safer; her nephew, Ronald (Katie) Buse; and all the many friends and community members who said, “I want to be like Nana when I grow up.”

Friends will be received on Thursday, July 2, 2026 from 2PM-4PM and 6PM-8PM in the GABAUER-LUTTON FUNERAL HOME & CREMATION SERVICES, INC., Chippewa Township, 117 Blackhawk Road, Beaver Falls, PA 15010.

Departing prayers will be offered in the funeral home on Friday, July 3, 2026at 9:30am, followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 10AM at St. Monica Church of St. Augustine Parish, 116 Thorndale Dr., Beaver Falls, PA 15010.

In honor of Phyllis’ life, memorial contributions may be made to Boys Town, a nonprofit, nonsectarian child and family care organization she appreciated for their good work. Donations may be made at boystown.org or sent to Boys Town, 14100 Crawford Street, Boys Town, NE 68010.

Interment will be private at Calverton National Cemetery, 210 Princeton Blvd., Calverton, NY 11933.