Judith Ann Cotter Pelinsky

Judith Ann Cotter Pelinsky age 90 passed away on Friday June 6, 2025, at Nightingale Nursing and Rehab.

She was born in Pittsburgh, PA on May 19, 1935 to the late Norval and Florence Vogel Cotter.

Judith came from a lineage deeply tied to the Pennsylvania Railroad and coal industries, where creativity and innovation ran deep in her family roots. With a love of the arts, she pursued her education at Mercyhurst College, where she studied art. She later became a beloved art teacher for children, sharing her talents at ABC Daycare and at the Martin Luther King Center in Erie. For nearly a decade she inspired young minds with creativity and color.

Her professional journey was diverse and vibrant. She worked for General Telephone Company in downtown Erie, where she once handled a record number of calls in a single hour. She later worked at Sanida Dairy, as an administrative assistant to Carl Brock, supporting his charitable efforts with the Shriners Burn Unit and coordinating travel for patients and medical staff.

In the 1950’s, Judith made her mark as one of the few women involved in street racing, fearlessly competing, and often winning. Her adventurous spirit and trailblazing courage were evident in all that she did.

Judith was a gifted storyteller with an extraordinary memory, especially for Pittsburgh history, local trivia and classic games like Trivial Pursuit and Jeopardy. She enjoyed crossword puzzles, postcard collecting, and creating paper dolls. Her life was a rich tapestry of artistic expression, curiosity and deep love for her family and heritage.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her stepmother, Anne Cotter; sister-in-law, Joan Cotter and nephew, William Wicks.

She is survived by her son Scott Pelinsky (Angela) of Erie; a sister Sue Wicks (Thomas) of Clarks Summit, PA; a brother Joel Cotter of Erie; and grandchildren, Mitchell Pelinsky and Rachel Pelinsky, both of Erie. She is further survived by several nieces and nephews.

Friends are invited to a Reception of Friends at Burton Quinn Scott Cremation & Funeral Services Inc., Wintergreen, 2532 Norcross Rd., Erie, PA on Friday June 20 at 2:00 PM, followed by a Celebration of Life Service at 4:00 PM, co-officiated by Paula Levine, chaplain of AseraCare Hospice and Pastor Mike Ellis of Flagship Church.

Inurnment will be in Whispering Pines Cremation Garden.