Maureen Gotay

Maureen M. Gotay
“Ultimate mother, wife & friend”

Watertown, CT Maureen M. (Ford) Gotay, 56, loving wife of Ricardo M. Gotay, M.D., and superhero mom to Rebecca and Gillian, died peacefully surrounded by the love of her family and friends on August 1, 2022 at home.

Maureen was born September 6, 1965 in Waterbury, CT daughter of Raymond Ford and Judith (Cote) Ford. Maureen graduated from Holy Cross High School, Class of 1983 and earned her Bachelor’s Degree from Johnson & Wales University in R.I.

For over a decade Maureen was the director of marketing at APTAR, Inc. until 2001, when the family moved to Florida and she dedicated herself to her true calling, motherhood. Being the ultimate caretaker, wife and mother, Maureen cooked with the skills of a chef and planned every event like it was her own wedding. She enjoyed dragon boating with her team “Heart & Soul” and loved dancing like nobody was watching, or everyone was watching, depending on the situation.

Maureen lived in Brevard County Florida for over 20 years, in both Melbourne Beach and Indialantic where she headed up multiple Christmas golf cart parades at Crystal Lakes, Fourth of July bike parties, block parties, haunted houses and every possible holiday. She loved hosting game nights and ornament exchanges. Maureen was active in Holy Name of Jesus Church and School, where she was involved in both of her daughter’s homeroom classrooms. She helped with holiday parties and did holiday crafts with all of the children. She attended all of her daughter’s field trips and headed fundraising efforts. She taught advanced spelling and was an incredible presence in the communities that she was involved in.

For over a decade Maureen was the director of marketing at APTAR, Inc. until 2001, when the family moved to Florida and she dedicated herself to her true calling, motherhood. Being the ultimate caretaker, wife and mother, Maureen cooked with the skills of a chef and planned every event like it was her own wedding. She enjoyed dragon boating with her team “Heart & Soul” and loved dancing like nobody was watching, or everyone was watching, depending on the situation.


In addition to Ricardo, her high school sweetheart and husband of 30 years, Maureen is survived by her father, Raymond Ford and his wife, Kathleen and her mother, Judith Ford; her daughters, Rebecca Gotay (25) and Gillian Gotay (22); her siblings, Erin D’Amico and her husband Darin, Raymond Ford and his wife, Marnie, Ryan Ford, Lauren Ford and William Ross; her father in law, Victor Gotay, M.D. and her mother in law, Ernestina “Taty” Gotay and her Gary.

Family and friends will gather to celebrate Maureen’s life on Saturday, August 6, 2022 from 12:00 to 3:00pm at Sunset Grill, 834 Northfield Road, Watertown, CT 06795. Dress will be smart casual please. There are no calling hours and arrangements have been entrusted to the Buckmiller Thurston Mengacci Funeral Home, 82 Fairview Avenue, Naugatuck. In lieu of flowers and to honor Maureen’s memory, donations are requested to YSC- Young Survival Coalition, 405 Lexington Avenue, 26 th Floor, New York, NY 10174. Family and friends will gather to celebrate Maureen’s life in Florida on Saturday, August 27, 2022 from 1:00 to 3:00pm at
the Satellite Beach Rec Center, Satellite Beach, Florida.