Marilyn Mahoney Cole

Marilyn Cole, Early Ave Maria Resident, Dies at Age 89

Print	 Email Published on Saturday, 12 November 2016 21:50 mcole3a-300The earliest residents of the town of Ave Maria in late 2007 were low in number but high in excitement and anticipation. And Marilyn Cole and her husband, Ed, were among the most excited and enthusiastic.

It seemed they volunteered for almost everything in the town and at Ave Maria University and quickly got to know almost all the early residents.

Now, those residents – and many who followed – are mourning the loss of this fun-loving, enthusiastic and energetic woman who died Wednesday, Nov. 9, at age 89 after a brief and sudden illness. Ed predeceased her in December, 2011, and a few years later she moved to The Terraces, an assisted living community in Bonita Springs.

Ed and Marilyn were both widowed and although they attended the same grammar school, hadn't seen each other for many years when they met again at their 50th high school reunion. They married in 1997.

Marilyn leaves four children by her first marriage to Oliver F. Mahoney – Marianne Meyer of Massachusetts; John, and his wife, Donna, of New York; Sheila Cullers, and her husband, David, of California; and Thomas, and his wife, Maria, of New York. She is also survived by grandchildren, Lauren Meyer, Brigid and Brendan Mahoney, John and Brian Mahoney, and Sean Cullers.

Born in New Haven, CT, on October 5, 1927, she was the daughter of the late Albert and Ann Connolly. A sister, Virginia, brother, Jack, and an infant son, Brian, predeceased her. She is also survived by a sister, Carol Sacco and her husband, Bert, and a sister-in-law, Lucille. In addition, she is also survived by numerous nephews and nieces and grandnieces and grandnephews.

She was a graduate of Albertus Magnus College in New Haven, CT and received an M.A. from the University of Rhode Island. After pursuing a career in bacteriology, she entered the field of education with a remedial reading specialty. Upon retiring she began a career in painting. She especially enjoyed painting religious art and was able to donate many items for fundraising for religious and charitable organizations. She tried to capture the beauty of God's creation in her artwork.

She enjoyed family reunions and travels with her husband, Ed.

Her joyful smile and laughter will be forever remembered by her family and friends. She touched the lives of many, most recently in Ave Maria and The Terraces in Bonita Springs.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated in St. George Church, Guilford, CT on Wednesday, November 16, 2016 at 10 a.m. Burial will be with her first husband, Oliver F. Mahoney, in All Saints Cemetery, North Haven, CT. Friends may call Tuesday, November 15, 2016 from 4-7p.m. at the Guilford Funeral Home, 115 Church St., Guilford. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to St. George's Catholic Church for religious education.