Obituary of Mabel Herminia Coto

Mabel Herminia Coto

1939 - 2023

Mabel Herminia Coto, beloved mother, grandmother, sister, and friend, died peacefully on 9 December 2023 after a period of declining health brought on by Parkinson’s disease. Born on 12 May 1939, she was 84. She was surrounded by her three children, daughters-in-law and grandchildren.

Mabel was the cherished daughter of Bienvenido Coto and Ester del Rio. She was the mother of Alfredo, Martin and Patricio and mother-in-law to Laura, Belsy and Lili. Her grandchildren Lucas, Mia, Matias and Marina brought her the greatest joy. Mabel was the youngest of five siblings. She is survived by Maria Ester (Yiya) and Maria Celia (Kiki). Her sister Zoila Marina (Babi) and brother Gerardo Bienvenido (Pancho) predeceased her.

She was the wife of Alfredo Romann. Married in 1972 and later separated.

Throughout her interesting life, she was a teacher, school administrator, principal, businesswoman, newspaper delivery person, entrepreneur, cultural interpreter, personal support worker and more. She helped countless people and is remembered with great joy by many.

Mabel was born in Mar del Plata, Argentina, where she spent the first half of her life. She was a teacher who quickly became a school administrator, a period of her life she remembered with great pride. She then started businesses, distributing school uniforms and sports equipment at “Hora Libre” and then owning several other retail businesses. The family moved to Canada in 1988.

The early years in Canada were difficult, particularly after she separated shortly after the move. She worked hard and persevered, overcoming tough hurdles to provide a comfortable life for her children. She spent most of the second half of her life in Markham, at the home on Main Street that would hold a very special place in her heart.

She was a lively person, with a lot of joy and laughter. In the most memorable moments, she would laugh non-stop. She enjoyed dressing up, gardening, music, her dogs and her house, chocolate ice cream, teaching people Spanish, and much more. She was generous and her intentions were always good, although her penchant for speaking before thinking sometimes caused misunderstandings, which she always deeply regretted. She touched the lives of many.

In lieu of flowers, please make donations to Parkinson Canada and a Memory Wall is available for any of her family and friends to leave a memory or thought of Mabel.

A visitation will be held at Dixon Garland Funeral Home in Markham on Saturday, 16 December 2023, starting at 3 pm followed by a service and celebration of life at 4 pm.