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Ashland, MA: Bernadette Marie "Bunny" (Cote) Howard, 87, of Ashland and a former resident of Haverhill and Harwich, died at her home on April 3, 2023, two days before her birthday, and surrounded by her loving family.

Bunny was born, raised and educated in Haverhill, daughter of the late Arthur and Irene (LaPlante) Cote. She attended Saint Joseph Grammar School and graduated from Saint James High School. Although she lived in several places throughout the United States, including Harwich for thirty-five years, Bunny always felt a strong connection to her roots in Massachusetts.

She worked for General Electric Company and later as a bank teller at several banks on Cape Cod. She also was employed in retail sales for Christmas Tree Shops before she retired.

Bunny's greatest loves were for God, her family, and her cat Mittens. She was a lifelong practicing Catholic and was a member of parishes wherever she lived. She enjoyed playing cards, making puzzles, crafting and travel. Her travels included visits to several places across the United States and to various countries in Europe.  Her lifelong dream to attend Mass within the grotto of Our Lady of Lourdes, France, was a highlight of her travels.

Bunny will be profoundly missed and lovingly remembered by her two daughters, Cheryl Vedvig and her husband, Wayne of North Dakota, and Susan Ruiz and her husband Daniel of Massachusetts, her sons, Judson Howard of Arizona and Joseph Howard and his wife Karen, of Massachusetts; six grandchildren, Michael, Jennifer, Jordan, Judson, Jr., Adrianna and Myles; two great grandchildren, two sisters, Lucille Fredette of North Carolina and Virginia Bergeron of Haverhill, and several nieces and nephews.  Bunny was preceded in death by her son, Jay P. Howard, brothers, Steven, Paul, Armand, Raymond and Gilbert Cote; and sisters, Alice, Lillian, Anita, Theresa, Lorraine, and Mary Rose.

Family and friends are invited to attend the funeral and celebration of her life at 1 p.m. on Thursday, April 6, 2023 at Brookside Chapel & Funeral Home, 116 Main St. Plaistow, NH. Burial will follow in Saint Joseph Cemetery, Haverhill. Streaming of the funeral service is available for those not able to attend. In lieu of flowers the family requests donations be made to the VNA Hospice and Palliative Care online at www.vnacare.org . To send a message of condolence to the family, please visit: www.brooksidechapelfh.com