Rosalyn DeVaughn Cotter Kociemba

Rosalyn DeVaughn Cotter Kociemba of Asheville passed away on April 30, 2026, with her family by her side. She was born on January 2, 1943, in Morganton, North Carolina, to Henry Gillam Parker and Elizabeth Polhill Parker.

Rosalyn lived a full and varied life in many places, including Raleigh, North Carolina; Corning, New York; Colchester, England; Hampton, New Hampshire; and Phoenix, Arizona, before settling back to Asheville, where she spent her later years.

She was a 1965 graduate of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, where she earned a B.A. in Elementary Education. She went on to teach elementary school in Cary, North Carolina, and later held several interesting and creative jobs throughout her life. Embracing her love of travel, she worked for many years as a tour director, where she enjoyed helping others experience new places, especially Nova Scotia, which became one of her favorite destinations.

Rosalyn had a creative spirit and an appreciation for beauty in everyday life. She loved photography, was an accomplished seamstress, and was a wonderful cook. She passed her love of cooking on to her two daughters, who have carried that tradition forward with their own children. She was always beautifully put together, thoughtful in her presentation.

She was preceded in death by her parents and her sister, Betsy McLendon Parker.

She is survived by her daughters, Elizabeth (Beth) McDermott and her husband Jim, and Anne Cotter Ryan and her husband Tom; and by her grandchildren, Brady, Casey, Kelly McDermott and Collin and Ashley Ryan. She is also survived by her second husband, Tom Kociemba and his son David.

A private memorial will be held by the family at a date to be determined.

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