July 18, 1984 ~ Sept. 30, 2024
Worcester – Alyse Marie (Laliberte) Cotoni, 40, of Worcester, MA, formerly of Marlborough, died Monday, September 30th, of complications from diabetes, a chronic illness she wrestled with since she was ten. The eldest child of Andre and Kathleen (Donnelly) Laliberte, she was raised in Marlborough.
Although Alyse never crawled and took her first tentative steps at 15 months, she walked unabashedly through life being her own true self. In childhood, she planned such detailed imaginative play with her siblings that they rarely got around to the actual playing part. Ice skating competitions on the kitchen floor and gymnastics events on Memere’s swing set were common, as was rapturously watching Disney videos at Nana’s house. The evil Maleficent became an early inspiration from these viewings. Alyse loved frolicking in Maynard’s wooden castle playground, now gone but forever cherished. A constant contradiction, a childhood fear of Halloween masks grew into Alyse’s absolute love of the scary and the eerie, strolling the streets of Salem during her favorite time of year.
Alyse was drawn to the woods beyond our yard. Book in hand, she sought solace on a fallen log or up in a tree. Or she’d shiver with the entire family skating on the bog behind the house, especially enjoying our evening glides by moonlight. And Alyse never passed up a chance to dance in the rain. She had the uncanny ability of napping anywhere, curled up like a cat. And like a feline, Alyse enjoyed basking in the sunshine – often in the oddest spots.
While a student at Marlborough High School, Alyse spent her fall days on the field hockey pitch. A fiery teen, she honed her eclectic musical taste and fearless sense of fashion. She fancied herself a Celtic Druid in the tradition of her Irish ancestry. Always a voracious reader, she fully immersed herself in her beloved fantasy novels. Alyse saw beauty in everything – whether mundane or old or ugly. She found the lowly crow beautiful and intelligent, mastering its cackle with her signature laugh. She’s probably laughing now, remembering the time she left the shower stall looking like a crime scene after dying her hair red. Always strong-willed, she began copping “The Look.” Any parent of a teenager can empathize.
Upon graduating high school, Alyse attended Westfield State College before embarking on a career in logistics management. After a respite living in Long Beach in sunny “Cali,” she returned to Massachusetts. Her passion for tattooed body art took hold and she proudly displayed those images so meaningful to her. Small-venue concert going became a huge part of her existence. She forged many friendships among that community. She talked really fast and had an expansive vocabulary, a veritable mistress of words. Life held its difficulties for Alyse and sometimes she made her own life harder. But she learned and grew from these challenges.
Alyse would agree her greatest accomplishment was her son Toby. She frequently voiced her fear of retribution for the teenage trials she put her parents through, only to sigh in relief at how easy Toby was. He did, however, inherit “The Look.” In many ways he was her polar opposite, so they balanced each other. The two shared interests in The Marvel Universe, comics, and all things Star Wars. While he remained stone-faced, she’d sit beside him crying over most of the television shows and movies they watched. While he hastily cleaned his plate, she’d savor her meals, noting their colors, textures, and flavors. While she was notorious for her selfies, he’d roll his eyes and quickly dodge her request to take a photo. While Alyse was beyond exultant that
they both sorted into Slytherin House, Toby simply shrugged his shoulders. Alyse’s mother can be blamed for introducing her to yard and rummage sales. From these she amassed a vast collection of knick knacks and trinkets that brought her such joy. She’d jokingly tell Toby, “One day this will all be yours.” So if you ever spy a peacock or a dragon or stained glass or a fairy, Alyse just might be peeking over your shoulder marveling at their wonder. Our Alyse was Queen of her kingdom.
She is survived by her son Toby and his father Jay Cotoni of Marlborough; her parents Andre and Kathy Laliberte of Marlborough; her sister Krista Laliberte of Los Angeles; her brother Calvin Laliberte of Chicago; her paternal grandparents George and Evelyn Laliberte of Mashpee; and numerous aunts, uncles, and cousins. And of course, her favorite girlies Meghan, Nan, Amy, and Livia. She was predeceased by her grandfather Francis Donnelly and her beloved grandmother Barbara (Crotty) Donnelly whom she has joined on the eternal swing set.
Visiting hours for Alyse were held October 9 at the Slattery Funeral Home, Inc. of Marlborough.
In lieu of flowers please consider contributing to a college fund set up by Alyse’s family for her son, Toby. (click here)
