Zoya Cottom

Sending good thoughts to you all. Zoya was a lovely woman with a terrific smile & infectious laugh. She & Don were wonderful and made a real difference in the lives of our family. A life lived well.

Zoya was everything mentioned in her beautiful obituary - and so much more besides, as her many friends and relatives know. The first time I met her, her cousin, Ron, my husband, wasn't with me. She and Don welcomed me to their home with such love. My favorite memory of that first visit was Zoya taking me to a beach on one of the Madison lakes and we stretched out on the sand in the sun and began the process of talking, sharing our life stories, and becoming family. I wish I could have seen her in the plays she acted in at one point in her life. I bet she was something! Zoya's bracceolli and incredibly perfect pies stand out in my mind from every visit we had with her and Don over the years. I loved hearing her and Ron tease back and forth.- an art they had perfected since childhood I will never forget her laugh - the BEST! She was a woman of faith in action - she wasn't one to talk about good deeds or religious dogma (same with Don, of course!) Zoya was on the move - if there was a cause she could help, she was there. She was so warm to people but the love she had for Don, her kids, Mona and Ron - limitless. I was so fortunate to be included in this circle of love and to meet Jon and Amy, Dan and Deborah, Kris, Michael, George and Jim. I am comforted by the memory of a skype between Zoya and Ron in late Oct. of this year - a few months ago. Ron and Zoya teased and joked with each other as if there was no distance between them at all. Zoya blew us kisses that came right out of the computer screen to live on in our hearts. My deepest sympathy and love to her family. I am a better person with such an enriched life because of knowing Zoya. ... Marti Leicester

To Kris and family - May your Mother's memory live on in your hearts as you go forward. She was clearly a beloved woman and it was wonderful to hear you talk about her with such pride and admiration. I am truly sorry for your loss and wish you peace and comfort in the days and weeks ahead.

I have been missing Zoya for awhile now. She and I seemed to have gotten on opposite schedules. Sundays our paths didn't cross, and the next thing I hear is that she is leaving us. I didn't know that it was happening so quickly (it seemed!) and she sold her house and has moved to Oklahoma. For the past decade or so, we shared a pew together most Sundays when we could. She taught me to reply 'never better' with a smile, when people asked 'How are you?' She has provided me with laughter and comfort; my daughters and I rides to church or doctor appt.s; and had a way of offering home-cooked meals in her cozy house that was like therapy. She and Don helped my parents through some tough times. I loved her as a 2nd mom and I will continue to remember her lively spirit that shone through her eyes, but I grieve her passing And yet I will take some comfort in knowing she can be back with Don once more, I think she ...well I can smile when I envision what that reunion was like. Jenny Solomon

We will miss (already do) our dear Zoya. We had a small and rather secret group of retired clergy folk at Plymouth Church in Madison. We met once in a while at Michael's Frozen Custard place and shared lots of experiences of being "in a church". There was always lots of laughter. Zoya made the best cinnamon rolls, pies and everything else. She always shared what she had made and with everyone. She is the reason that we decided to join Plymouth Church. She yelled at us on the stairway to coffee hour "We joined here and have never regretted it." She was right - we have not regretted it or knowing Zoya (and Don.) I am so sorry that she has died but I am happy for her that all strife is over. Rest in peace dear Zoya. Rheda (and Jon) Schultz