Frances J. Cole

She was born March 19, 1930, in Dunkirk, the daughter of the late Dr. Archie and Lucy (Orlando) Parlato.

A resident of Dunkirk for most of her life, Frannie was a graduate of Dunkirk High School, class of 1947 and Millard Fillmore School of Nursing in 1950. She retired from the ambulatory unit at Brooks Memorial Hospital.

Frannie was a parishioner of St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Church and was also a past member of the Dunkirk Senior Center and Westfield Quilters’ Guild.

Frannie touched many lives through her varied interests including quilting, knitting, mahjong, gardening, and cooking. She was a lifelong animal lover, giving a loving home to many cherished rescue dog and cats. She was a beloved neighbor often spending time in the backyard sipping wine and enjoying summer evenings.

Survivors include five children: Gordon “Skip” (Jean) Cole and Carolyn (James) Fafinski, both of Dunkirk, Vincent (Lorraine) Cole of Fredonia, Philip (Karen) Cole of Wilmington, Mass., and Joanne Hill of Dunkirk; 12 grandchildren; 17 great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews.

Besides her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Gordon K. Cole, who died Sept. 1, 2001; one brother, Vincent “Jimmy” Parlato; and son-in-law, Mark “James” Hill.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated TODAY, March 14, at 10 a.m. in St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Church. Entombment will be in the Resurrection Mausoleum of St. Mary’s Cemetery. Flowers gratefully declined.

Memorials may be made to Lakeshore Humane Society, 431 E. Chestnut St., Dunkirk, NY 14048 or Dunkirk Free Library, 536 Central Ave., Dunkirk, NY 14048.

Arrangements are by the McGraw-Kowal Funeral Home.