Obituary: Shirley Ann Cole

Mrs. Cole

Mrs. Cole

Shirley Ann Cole passed into heaven on March 21, 2015 while residing in Juneau, Alaska. She was born on Oct. 3, 1935 to David and Marion Voorhis in Phoenix, Arizona.

Shirley attended St. Agnes Catholic School for both elementary and junior high. She then attended North High School, graduating in 1953. Shirley went on to attend Arizona State College (ASU), where she belonged to Sigma Sigma Sigma sorority. She graduated college in 1957 with a BA in Education.

Shirley had a special place in her heart for Arizona State University and the Sun Devils. She was proud member of the ASU Alumni Association; in addition, she served as President of the Prescott ASU Alumni for several years. One of her favorite memories was when she went to the Rose Bowl, the year the Sun Devils won.

Her first teaching position was a second grade position at Wilson Elementary in the Mesa School District; she then went on to teach for the Alhambra School District.

While in Phoenix, she married Richard Cole and had two children, Richard Jr. and Susan. They moved to Winslow, Arizona for three years, then to Prescott, Arizona. She took a few years off to raise her children but then returned to teaching, spending one year teaching in Prescott, Arizona then Mayer, Arizona. Shirley found a love for teaching "Kindergarten" in Chino Valley, Arizona where she went on to have a wonderful teaching career. She enriched the lives of many children, teaching there from 1973 to 1994 when she retired.

She served on the Yavapai County Fair Board from 1976 to 1985 and was active in the Delta Kappa Gamma teaching sorority and the Red Hat Society. She served as a 4H leader from 1972 to 1980, was a member of AEA/NEA from 1965 to 1985, serving several terms as President. Being an enthusiastic sports fan, she also served as a Little League/Babe Ruth board member.

Shirley enjoyed cooking and entertaining, hosting numerous summer barbecue parties in her backyard. She also enjoyed sewing, crafting, reading and visiting with friends.

After developing health problems, Shirley relocated to Alaska to be close to her grandchildren whom she deeply loved. She particularly liked to attend as many of her grandchildren's activities as possible especially the sporting events which were numerous.

She is survived by her son, Richard Cole Jr. (Beth); daughter Susan Martin (Bill) and their four children, William, Harriet, Gavin and Manila; her sister, Diane Salinger (George); and her cousin, James Voorhis (Jeannette). She also leaves behind many lifetime friends.

A celebration of Shirley's life will be on June 20, 2015 at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Prescott, Arizona. Rosary will be at 10 a.m., Mass at 11 a.m. with a reception to follow. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Chino Valley School District, Shirley Cole Scholarship Fund c/o John Scholl, 650 E. Center St., Chino Valley, AZ 86323.

Information provided by survivors.


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