Marilyn Rosalia Cole

Marilyn "Mickey" Rosalia Cole (Cripe), age 91, of Elgin, IL, passed away peacefully on December 8, 2025, in Chicago, IL. Born July 28, 1934 in Utica, NY to the late John and Anna (née Zobel) Cole, Marilyn lived a life defined by faith, creativity, service, and deep devotion to her family.

A graduate of Utica Free Academy, Marilyn began her career as a kindergarten teacher at St. Anthony School on Tilden Avenue in Utica. Known affectionately to her students as Mrs. Cripe, she remained fondly remembered for decades for her warmth, creativity, humor, encouragement, and unmistakable kindness. Guided by her strong desire to help others, she later became a New York State Public Health Nurse, offering dedicated care and compassion to the community she cherished.

Marilyn was a gifted artist and illustrator with a quick wit and a joyful spirit-always the life of the party and a source of laughter for those around her. A woman of steadfast Catholic faith, she lovingly served the nuns of the St. Joseph–St. Patrick Convent, often ironing their habits or restoring the church's statues to preserve their beauty. Her lifelong love of animals was another hallmark of her gentle soul, and she treated every creature with tenderness.

Marilyn is survived by her daughters, Denise Schramm (Lee) of Elgin, IL, and Michele "Shelly" DeSantis-Thill (Mark) of Gilbert, AZ; her beloved grandchildren, Zachary DeSantis, Jacob DeSantis (Ashley), and Sienna Rose DeSantis (Timothy); and her cherished great-granddaughter, Gianna Lee Cahill. She is also survived by her sister, Barbara Sypek, and her brother, Gerard Cole (Maryann), both of Utica, NY. Marilyn was predeceased by her sister, Mary Rita Cole. She was lovingly known as "Aunt Mickey" to her many nieces and nephews, all of whom adored her.

Marilyn's warmth, humor, generosity, and artistic spirit touched countless lives. Her memory will remain a blessing and a source of joy to all who knew and loved her.

The family would like to extend heartfelt gratitude to the staff at Aperion Healthcare in Elgin, IL, for the loving care Marilyn received during her time there. Their dedication and compassion were a true source of comfort.

Closing Prayer

I am going to sleep now, day's work is done;
Its hours and its moments have passed one by one.
God who will judge me, has counted them all;
He has numbered each grace, He has counted each fall;
In His book they are written against the last day;
Oh! Mother ask Jesus to wash them away.
For one drop of His blood for sinners was spilt,
Is sufficient to cleanse the world of its guilt.
And if e'er the dawn I should draw my last breath;
The sleep I take be the long sleep of death;
Be near me, Mother, for dear Jesus' sake
When at eternity's shore my soul shall awake.
Amen.

Visitation will be 10:30am until funeral mass at 11:30am, Thursday, December 18, 2025, at St. Thomas More Church, 215 Thomas More Drive, Elgin, IL 60123. Fr. Willie Tuquib will be officiating.

Interment to follow at Prairie Cemetery, Crane Road, St. Charles, IL 60174.

Final arrangements entrusted to Symonds-Madison Funeral Home. For more information, call 847-741-1128.