Janice Lee Cootey

Janice Lee Cootey, 79, beloved wife, mother to seven sons, of Sandy, UT, drifted to sleep and peacefully passed on Friday, November 15, surrounded by husband, sons, and grandchildren.

Janice was born in Somerville, MA in 1945 to Joseph and Jane Ruscitti, and raised with brother Joseph Jr, along with cousins Ursula Leahy and Rose Mary Quinton. Janice attended Reading High School before studying X-Ray Technology at Northeastern University, working as an X-Ray Technologist for 10 years.

She married Richard 58 years ago; however, she started dating Richard as a High School Sophomore 63 years ago. The High School Sweethearts married in Reading, MA on February 5,1966. They moved to Cape Cod in 1979 and built fond memories beside the ocean. In 1989, they moved to Sandy, Utah—where she enjoyed her remaining 35 years.

Janice was a proud and devoted mother to Douglas, Philip, Matthew, Brian, Jason, Ryan, and Darren. She desperately wanted a daughter but instead excelled at being a mother to all boys. She was a cub scout leader, taught them etiquette, signed them up for sports, made them hug and apologize after brotherhood brawls, and encouraged their freedom. She taught them to study and work hard by repeating the same story of being the only X-Ray Technology student in her class to study hard enough to score an A in Physics.

She lived her life in defiance of her Post-Polio Syndrome. She was proficient twirling her baton as a leader among her High School team of Majorettes. She was fiercely proud of her hospital career, her aptitude for retaining medical knowledge, and her place in the history of professional women who opened all careers in the medical field. Finally, she stayed active in the lives of her boys and grandchildren, challenging them all to lead others, nurture strong relationships, develop themselves physically, and never quit.

Janice was preceded in death by sons Ryan and Brian, and is survived by husband Richard; sons Douglas, Philip, Matthew, Jason, and Darren; and 11 Grandchildren—who all learned essential life lessons from her undiminished hope, unconquerable spirit, and unconditional love.

Services will be held November 22, at the LDS church building 1211 E 7800 S, Midvale, UT 84047: 12:00pm viewing and 1:00pm funeral service. The burial ceremony will be at 2:30pm at Larkin Sunset Gardens Cemetery 1950 E 10600 S, Sandy, UT 84092.