Kit Cole

1940 - 2022

Kit Cole obituary, 1940-2022, Fairfield, CA

Kit Cole

1940 - 2022

BORN

1940

DIED

2022

Kit Cole Obituary

Published by Legacy Remembers on Jul. 31, 2022.
Ms. Kit M Cole, respected Marin financier and Marin Women's Hall of Fame Honoree, died peacefully in her sleep in the morning of June 20, 2022, at the age of 81. Kit was born in Oakland, CA and was a long-term resident of Marin County, CA where she raised her 6 children and 5 stepchildren. The indomitable Kit Cole is most widely remembered as a pioneer in the Bay Area's financial community and as a champion of women's empowerment dedicating her professional life to bringing women into leadership roles in the financial field. Ms. Cole earned her BA in English from California State University, Long Beach, with honors and her MBA in Finance from U.C. Berkeley School of Business. As a young divorcee with five children under the age of seven, she left her job teaching to work as an assistant in a brokerage house. She quickly obtained her broker's license and became one of the first women stockbrokers hired by a major brokerage firm in the United States. Five years later, she founded Cole Financial Group, Inc., an investment advisory firm specializing in providing financial guidance, education, and investment management to women. Shortly thereafter, Ms. Cole co-founded New Horizons Savings & Loan in San Rafael, CA, becoming one of the first women in the country to be the founding Chairman of the Board of Directors of a financial institution. New Horizons was one of the first financial institutions in the country organized and managed by women. In 1991, she founded and chaired Tamalpais Bank in San Rafael, CA. She was also Chairman Emeritus of Novato Community Bank. Kit was an accomplished portfolio manager and managed marketable securities in Marin County for over 50 years. Kit was a fixture in the community offering programs in personal finance and investments for women and co-founded two community organizations, Wednesday Morning Dialogue and Marin Forum. A Girl Scout leader for seventeen years, Cole has served on several community boards, including the Bay Area Girl Scout Council, United Way and Mill Valley Film Festival. She was currently Vice-Chair of the Marin Women's Commission and Co-Chair of the Commission's Economic Resource Committee. She is survived by her brother Stephen Margossian, her five children Kimberly Kaselionis, Jeffery Tappan, Alan Tappan, Jamison Tappan and Luke Cole as well as 6 grandchildren and 3 great grandchildren. Kit was the daughter of Margo Margossian and Ruby Minter who predeceased her as did her sister Roseanne Edmondson and daughter Kristy Tappan. For the family she leaves behind, her loss is inexpressible - a wound that will never quite heal. She leaves us with a legacy of wisdom, strength, perseverance, generosity, and a passion for world travel. Please watch over us. Love and gratitude to a woman who sacrificed much to give us all. A "Celebration of Life: will be held from 2:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. on September 29, 2022, at the San Rafael Elks Lodge, 1312 Mission Avenue, CA 94901 (415) 453-1108. In lieu of flowers, please donate to your favorite charity.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Sign Kit Cole's Guest Book

Not sure what to say?

October 8, 2022

Nicolas posted to the memorial.

August 12, 2022

Karen Guldbech-Williams sent flowers.

August 7, 2022

patricia payne posted to the memorial.

Nicolas

October 8, 2022

I had some unforgettable social times with Kit. She was much more than a businessswoman. RIP

Farewell Too Soon Bouquet

Karen Guldbech-Williams

Sent Flowers

patricia payne

August 7, 2022

Outstanding memories of a most gifted and generous friend to our family, always in gratitude for magic memories.
PATRICIA AND JOHN PAYNE. SHELLHARBOUR. AUSTRALIA.

Gerard Payne

August 6, 2022

Very sad news to learn of Kit´s passing.

A long distance friendship we valued & enjoyed.

When i think of Kit , i see the classic line from the 1958´ movie & character `Auntie Mame´ played by Rosalind Russell playing over again in my thoughts ...

".... Yes live that´s the message...... Yes life is a banquet .... and most poor suckers are starving..... "

And that is what Kit Cole did each day. Live.

The challenges life delivers to us all, Kit met with the enthusiasm and vigour of a champion. Here´s another opportunity, let´s go.

Sometimes at the exasperation of those nearby.

Yet when Peter read´s Kit´s personal `Balance Sheet of Life´, the ledger clearly shows Kit left this world a far better place for us all.

To be the one who breaks the glass ceilings and opens new pathways for those following to enjoy will always leave a few bruises and scratches. They heal. The opportunities for others only grow.

If Kit had 1 frustration with life , my best guess, there are only 24
hours in each day.

Those who might detract , simply could not keep up. That is not a criticism, as few of us could match Kit´s pace.

Now Kit will enjoy the rest so well deserved, allowing others to pick up the challenges still to be met.

Eternal peace is your´s Kit.
Thank you for the friendship

Gerard Payne,
John & Patricia Payne
Shellharbour , Australia

Ross Reyes Dizon

August 2, 2022

Rest in peace, and may you be fondly remembered and ever blessed. Watch, too, over St. Vincent's Dining Room in San Rafael.

Suzanne Dunwell

August 1, 2022

Kit Cole was a force of nature. Awoman with a warm heart and a steely dedication for the rights and advancement of women. She was featured in a book I published, "100 Faces of Marin." I had the pleasure of knowing Kit on a p ersonal level. She was always willing to give a presentation, volunteer her services, or just simply listen. Oh, and she was a beautiful woman, inside and out. Thank
you Kit, we all benefited from your life well-lived.

Carol Fetterman

July 31, 2022

Kit was an incredibly accomplished woman and a wonderful friend. She was a mentor to many women. Kit contributed so much to the community, to her friends and most of all to her family. We had great times together for almost 30 years and I will miss her terribly

nancy leavens

July 31, 2022

It was a privilege to be a co-grandparent with Kit. She was ever optimistic and wiz bang smart. She will be missed.

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Sign Kit Cole's Guest Book

Not sure what to say?

October 8, 2022

Nicolas posted to the memorial.

August 12, 2022

Karen Guldbech-Williams sent flowers.

August 7, 2022

patricia payne posted to the memorial.