September 3, 1935 - March 29, 2024
Margaret “Claire” Cole, age 88, of Guelph and formerly of Stratford, passed away on Friday, March 29, 2024 at Guelph General Hospital. Born in Sussex, NB, daughter of the late Roderick and Lillian (Walsh) Sutherland. Claire was predeceased by her loving husband Donald Cole of 63 years on May 20, 2020, and her son Michael Cole, December 28,2022. Loving mother of Mark (his wife - Liz) and Dawn (her husband - Paul) and three grandchildren Claire, Ardis and Faryn.
In Claire’s early years she competed in singing competitions throughout New Brunswick. She stayed close to her beloved extended family in New Brunswick and Nova Scotia. Her love of kelp and butter milk was always part of her makeup - fostered from time spent at the Walsh farm in Coverdale, NB. MacDonald College, an arm of McGill University is where she met Donald, fell in love and for 63 years Don and Claire enjoyed raising their family - in later years travelling extensively to almost every part of the world. A number of summers brought good times with family and friends at the cottage in Parry Sound and then Rondeau Park. At Claire’s core however was her love of her husband, three children and three grandchildren. She had a beautiful singing voice, was a gifted seamstress and a wonderful chef. Talents that she warmly shared with family and friends.
Cremation has taken place and Claire’s remains will be interred with her true love Donald at the Anglican Cemetery in Woodstock, ON. As expressions of sympathy memorial donations may be made to The Salvation Army or Heart & Stroke Foundation through the W. G. Young Funeral Home, 430 Huron St, Stratford, ON. www.wgyoungfuneralhome.com
