On Sunday, Jan. 17, 2021, Rae Cole, devoted wife and mother of four children, passed away at age 82.

Rae was born on Aug. 9, 1938, in Kelso, Washington, to Ken and Esther Lee. She worked for the telephone company after graduating from high school. She met and married Jerry Cole on Feb. 4, 1961. They would have celebrated their 60th anniversary this year.

Rae was a homemaker and stayed busy raising four children. She was involved in all their classroom activities, sporting events and was a Girl Scout troop leader. When her youngest child started junior high, she went to work part-time as the bookkeeper at JHD Diesel, retiring in 1999. Rae devoted her life to her family. Her best days were the days spent with them.

Rae was blessed with two grandchildren that she spoiled until the day she passed. They were the light of her life. She never missed a ball game, school event, dance recital or concert.

Rae was diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease 20 years ago and was a founding member of the Grays Harbor Parkinson Support Group. Even as the disease progressed, she never let it slow her down.

Rae loved to bake and is famous for her sugar cookies, sweet rolls and doughnuts. She was an avid reader, enjoyed Old Westerns, game shows, and working jigsaw and crossword puzzles. She loved decorating for Halloween and Christmas and passed that love on to her daughters. Camping with family and friends was also a favorite, and she had many fond memories of those days.

Rae was loved by all who knew her. She was genuinely kind and good-natured. She had a wonderful sense of humor and was a great listener.

Rae was preceded in death by her parents and her brother, Wayne Lee. She is survived by her husband, Jerry; her four children: Nancy (David), Kim (Dave), Kurt (Marnie) and Jerry Jr. (Natalie); her loving grandchildren: Cole and Davi, sisters: Martha Calvert and Echo Klein, sister-in-law Crystal Lee; and several nieces and nephews.

To simply say “we love you” does not seem adequate. You are everything to us, and we will miss you every day! Until we are together again.

At Rae’s request there will be no service.