Obituary of Mary Lou Cole

NORTH CREEK: Mary Lou Cole, 61, a lifelong resident of North Creek passed away, Sunday, November 29, 2009 at the Glens Falls Hospital after her twenty year courageous battle with cancer. Born on July 20, 1948 to Elizabeth Cole of North Creek, Mary Lou attended Johnsburg Central School, graduating in 1966. After graduation, she turned her hand to a variety of jobs–cooking at restaurants, selling real estate, working at a gas station, and tending bar. After her major surgery for the throat cancer, she could not work at a regular job, but instead began volunteer work. She enjoyed working behind the scenes at the North Creek Methodist Church Christmas Bazaar and for seven years she could be found volunteering at the Town of Johnsburg Library where she used her special talents to check out books and was the force behind the mystery book selection. Mary Lou served as the treasurer of the Friends of the Town of Johnsburg Library board, as secretary of the Upper Hudson Bluegrass Festival committee and was the secretary-treasurer of the Johnsburg Central Alumni Association. Most importantly, Mary Lou was a friend and support to anyone who came into her life; any friend who was facing adversity would receive letters and cards or a hand-made afghan; after talking with Mary Lou you always felt better. A visitor to Mary Lou at her home in the Senior Housing complex would soon see firsthand her extreme network; there would be messages on her answering machine, cards and letters galore, and a lot of folks dropping by with a quick “ do you need anything?” or a carton of milk or a couple of folks checking on the progress of the number of reservations so far for the Bluegrass Festival. For the last few years of her life, Mary Lou was confined, but her network of relatives and friends saw to it that she was taken to her doctor visits, the local library director took her piles of books to read, friends saw that community dinners were delivered to her, folks at the Senior housing checked on her frequently and friends dropped by on special occasions so that she could see their children. She was predeceased by her mother, Elizabeth Cole, son Danny, uncle’s Hollis and George Cole and her grandparents John and Mary Cole. Mary Lou is survived by one Aunt, Lucy Cole and many cousins and friends. A memorial service to celebrate Mary Lou’s life will be conducted 2 pm Friday, December 4 at the North Creek United Methodist Church with the Rev. Kristi VanPatten, Pastor officiating. She will be laid to rest with her beloved son and mother in Union Cemetery, North Creek. Her family will continue to celebrate her life following the services at the North Creek Vol. Fire House In lieu of flowers the family requests any donations in Mary Lou’s name be made to the Town of Johnsburg Library, North Creek, NY 12853 Please visit www.alexanderfuneralhomes.com for online guest book, condolences and directions.