Marilyn M. Cole

COLE, Marilyn M., on May 22, 2020, of Marlton NJ. Born on December 13, 1936 in Scranton, Pennsylvania, Marilyn was 83 when she passed of natural causes on May 22, 2020 at the Wiley Mission in Marlton, NJ. The eldest of five siblings - Richard Cole, the late Barbara Cole Gilmore, Robert Cole, and Ronald Cole - born to Margaret R. Cole and Clarence P. Cole, Marilyn was the beloved mother of Dodie Kresge, the late Sherry Moore, and Ralph D. Smith, Jr. She was the loving grandmother of 11 grandchildren and 16 great grandchildren. She was the favorite aunt of many nieces and nephews. “Laughter” is the word that comes up the most when friends and family are asked about their memories of Marilyn. She was self-deprecating to a fault and found humor in most any situation. Her brother, Richard, recalls her contagious chuckling as they watched comedies together through the years. Like her mother before her, she could take a funny moment and keep it going with a sly twinkle in her eye. She made those around her feel loved and accepted, no matter the history or situation. When her niece, Shannon, was a lonely freshman at boarding school, Marilyn drove quite a distance to take her out for ice cream on the weekends. Always a gracious host, the family recalls visits to her home in the 1970’s where they got to ride her horse, Queenie. Her sister-in-law, Lorraine, recalls Marilyn advising her that hot flashes could be eliminated if she were to simply think about them while pressing the delete button on her computer. When she was growing up, she wanted to be a movie star, and had the circumstances been different, perhaps her dream could have come true - she certainly had the beauty and personality for it. Richard recalls her acting out the movies they would go to see together in their childhood. Her brother, Robert, recalls her looking like a movie star in the 1950’s, wearing her white hat and scarf while driving down the road in her ’58 Ford Fairlane. Marilyn was 14 years old when Bob was born, the first baby Marilyn doted on, and he is grateful to have been given the opportunity to care for her in her later years. Marilyn attended Newton-Ransom school in Newton, Pa. She spent many years working in retail and managed Marilyn’s Hallmark in Medford, N.J. A lover of animals, her last working years were at Evesham Veterinary Clinic, where she cared for companions of all kinds, large and small. Marilyn, you will be dearly missed. We will keep you in our hearts, dear Marilyn, and think of you with smiles and laughter for the rest of our days. Marilyn will be privately laid to rest with her parents at Marlton Baptist Cemetery, Marlton, NJ.