Elsie Elaine Cole
1942-2020
Bolivar
Elsie Elaine Cole (but don’t call her Elsie) 77 of 98 Wellsville St. left this world On Saturday February 15,
2020 at home surrounded by loved ones. Born on December 17, 1942 in Olean, she was the daughter of
Theodore and Gladys Jordan. Mom married the love of her life, Rodney Cole on February 25, 1961 in
Bolivar; Rod preceded her in death on December 7, 2016.
Her life was full of joy and much laughter, (either with her or at her expense but it was always with love)
She wore many hats, the most amazing wife, mother, grandmother, aunt, sister and friend. She was a Girl
Scout leader, nurse’s aide (always taking care of others), waitress, worked at the Bolivar Country Club and
she was the best seamstress. Mom could sew anything – from curtains, to prom dresses, from pillow
cases to wedding dresses and her reputation preceded her. Girls would come from near and far to have
her alter their prom or wedding dress. Bolivar Central School had many team building events and Mom
loved helping her kids. There is an annual Scavenger hunt for the high school. The kids often stopped at
her house during the scavenger hunt because they knew Mrs. Cole had “everything” they needed on the
list. She sewed her middle son a big yellow duck costume to wear to a costume party, and he had to stand
up on the ride to school. He was the cutest duck around! And he won first prize!!!Her daughter’s class was
making a Disney themed float for one of the parades and they could go to Mrs., Cole’s house for her to
help make Mickeys head out of paper Mache. Now her youngest son was a little more wild than the other
two. His story to tell is of a time when our father was working for the Police Dept. and he was going to
paint the tank (that’s what we did for fun back then) Well, he went to mom for the paint, paintbrushes
and even the tall ladder. When dad came home he asked what happened to the ladder. Mom told him she
lent it to someone well… she didn’t lie. She lent it to the class of 89 to paint the tank. Mom always told
you the truth even if it wasn’t what you wanted to hear!
Surviving are three children, Jodi (Dave) Lockwood Cazenovia NY, Jamie (Pam) Cole Bolivar and Jason Cole
Bolivar. Also surviving are ten Grandchildren and twenty great-grandchildren (and many of their friends
who also called her grandma) and a brother Jack (Sandy) Jordan and numerous nieces and nephews. She
was preceded in death by her parents, brother and several nieces and nephews.
A celebration of life service will be held on Saturday February 22, 2020 at the Bolivar Fire Hall at 2 P.M.
Memorials may be made to Bolivar Free Library 390 Main St. Bolivar N.Y. 14715.
Funeral arrangements are under the direction of the Schaffner Funeral Home Inc. Bolivar.
Schaffner Funeral Home
