Peggy A. Cotter

Peggy Ann Cotter, 71, of Independence, Missouri, suddenly passed away on Thursday, October 1, 2026, at her home.

An informal celebration of Peggy’s life will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Monday, October 12, 2026, at Royer’s New Salem Funeral Home in Independence, Missouri. The family will receive friends from 10:00 a.m. until 12:00 p.m.

Peggy was born on May 4, 1955, in Kansas City, Kansas, the daughter of Barney “Boone” Brunetti Jr. and Ruby Brunetti and stepdaughter of Dale Weir. She graduated from Northeast High School, Class of 1973. In 2007 she earned a certificate in surgical technology from Wright Business School. She would tell you, you’d go wrong with Wright.

Peggy and her first husband, Craig Cotter, were blessed with two children, Brenton and Cara. Her children will tell you that Peggy was the best mother they could have ever had, given the circumstances life handed her. She loved her children and grandchildren fiercely, even if she didn’t always express that love in the traditional, Hallmark-card sort of way.

Peggy enjoyed cross-stitch, crochet, sewing, and reading. She was a dedicated employee throughout her working career and took pride in doing her job well. She was also the kind of person who would show up, get the job done, and probably have an opinion about how it should have been done in the first place.

Peggy had a special love for dogs, especially Labrador retrievers. While she may not have been particularly fond of people, dogs were a different story. A good Labrador could probably get away with just about anything in Peggy’s book. Her love for dogs was genuine, and they were among the lucky few who never had to worry about whether Peggy approved of them.

Peggy was a woman who knew what she liked—and what she didn’t. One thing she didn’t particularly care for was people. She wasn’t exactly the person you went to when you needed a warm welcome from a stranger. In fact, if Peggy liked you, you could consider yourself part of a very exclusive club.

But the people she did love knew it. Her family didn’t have to wonder where they stood with Peggy. She was honest, straightforward, and never one to waste words. She had her opinions, she wasn’t afraid to share them, and chances are pretty good that she was usually convinced she was right.

Peggy spent much of her life dealing with significant health challenges. She fought Stage 4 kidney disease and had lived with Type 1 diabetes for approximately half of her life. Despite everything her body put her through, Peggy kept going.

And after all those years of diabetes and kidney disease, Peggy managed to leave this world with all of her fingers and all of her toes. If that isn’t stubbornness, determination, or just plain Peggy, we’re not sure what is.

Peggy was unable to be an organ donor herself, however, her family’s wish is for anyone able to consider the gift of organ donation.

Peggy was preceded in death by her parents, two sisters, a nephew, and a niece.

She leaves behind her son, Brenton Cotter (Stephanie), and grandson Boston; her daughter, Cara Cotter; and granddaughters Laynee and Jamison.

Peggy will be deeply missed by the people who knew and loved her—especially the select few she actually liked.

Her family hopes she is somewhere comfortable, with a good book nearby, plenty of peace and quiet, and absolutely no annoying people. That would probably suit Peggy just fine.

Obituary submitted by the family.

Arrangements by Royer’s New Salem Funeral Home in Independence, Missouri