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Rita Cole Obituary
18, 2005. She was born in Miami, Florida on February 25, 1942. She was the founder and facilitator of the first chapter of Compassionate Friends in Arizona; the founding board's member and president of New Song
Center for grieving children and those who love them; a board member to the National Catholic Ministries to the bereaved and also the Southwest School of Chaplaincy. Eloise developed a teaching clown for bereavement named "Rainbow". She had her own video featuring "Rainbow" as well as co-authoring a book on support group techniques. She developed and taught work shops and spoke at seminars for the professionals, lay people and bereaved. For several years she was the Bereavement Specialist at Grimshaw Mortuary in Phoenix and for the past 10 years, Bereavement Specialist at Hansen Mortuaries. Perhaps the most noteworthy are the thousands she supported, on an individual basis, with her insights, wisdom and love. Her goal was to "teach the funeral industry to be compassionate". She was the recipient of many awards with the most memorable being the 2004 Sister Teresa McIntier Community Award for Excellence, the Girl Scouts 2003 World Award, "World of Humanity" and the 1981 "12 Who Care" Hon Kachina Award. She is loved and will be missed by her husband, Elwood Cole; son, Richard and daughter in law Joanna Cole; daughter LeAnne and son in law Al West; grandchildren, Matthew and Alexandra Cole and Ashley West; sister Rita Mary Kueber; brother James Price and everyone who knew Eloise including her fellow employees. She was preceded in death by her sons, Mark and Dan Cole. Visitation will be held from 4 to 8 pm on Wednesday, December 21, 2005 at Hansen Desert Hills Mortuary, 6500 E. Bell Road, Scottsdale. Funeral service will be at 11 am on Thursday at the Scottsdale Bible Chapel, 7601 East Shea Blvd., Scottsdale. Interment will follow at Paradise Memorial Gardens. Arrangements by Hansen Desert Hills Mortuary. Donations are suggested to the Angel of Hope, 6500 E. Bell Road, Scottsdale, AZ 85254.
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Memories and Condolences
for Rita Cole
6 Entries
Crystal Barbour
December 23, 2005
Words can not describe how sad I feel for the loss of our Eloise. She was a true inspiration and a gift from God. Eloise we will miss you and we love you but we will see you again on the other side. Until then, get some rest and enjoy being with your sweet sons Mark and Dan. I will continue to blow bubbles and kisses up to you in heaven because you helped me so very, very much! Thank you God, Elwood and family for sharing Eloise with the rest of us . . .
Sandi Page
December 23, 2005
To the Family & Friends of Eloise Cole,
Please accept my sincere & heartfelt sympathy for your loss. Eloise was the most dynamic person I ever met. She was so loving and caring and helped so many of us get through the rough times of our lives. She was truly a gift from God. She will be missed by all of us who knew her.
Tawnya Graham-Schoolitz
December 22, 2005
I have known Eloise my whole life and words cannot express how sad I feel that the world has lost her. She was an incredible friend and I am better for having known Eloise and her wonderful family. My prayers are with you all.
Blanche Hopkins Wenge
December 22, 2005
Eloise has long been a blessing to all who knew her. We received the Hon Kachina award the same year and her work has grown even more and touched so many lives since then. My sincere sympathy to her family.
Wanda Tucker-Hicks
December 22, 2005
The first time I met Eloise we sat and talked for hours like old friends. She was very modest regarding the number of lives she had touched, but very passionate and compassionate about being a healing "Angel" in the lives of others. She gave generously and lovingly.
Rev. Wanda Tucker-Hicks
Sherry Baker
December 21, 2005
Eloise was a very kind, compassionate and generous woman. I had the pleasure of working with her for a short time at Desert Hills, during the Angel of Hope project and grew to appreciate her dedication to helping others who have shared the loss of a child. She will be missed by many.
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Hansen Desert Hills Mortuary and Cemetery - Scottsdale6500 E. Bell Road, Scottsdale, AZ 85254
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