Name: Visitation for Sharon Cole
Start: 2021-04-11T17:00:00.000Z
End: 2021-04-11T18:00:00.000Z
Location: Clymer Funeral Home Cremations - Palm Coast

Cole
Sharon Michelle Cole, 67, was a kind person, devoted to family members, athlete, educator, floral arranger, caregiver, sportswoman, and loving spouse. Sharon passed away on March 19, 2021 following a 19 month battle with cholangiocarcinoma, bile duct cancer. She was a courageous woman and an inspiration to all. There was no challenge that she would not face. She gave so much to everyone who knew her, and the world is a better place because of Sharon.
Born to Frank and Judy Cole on January 30, 1954. She leaves behind her loving spouse of 19 years, Terry Riggs; brothers, Bob (Kathy) and Frank (Andrea) Cole; father and mother-in-law, John and Frances Riggs, brother and sister-in-law, Keith and Theresa Riggs; nephews, Blake Cole (Vicky), Brett Cole (Emma), Christopher and Michael Gilbert, Matt Riggs; goddaughter, Olivia J. Murphy; great nieces and nephews, Norah, Bobby, Lincoln, Margot, and Dolores Cole. Sharon is predeceased by her parents, Frank and Judy Cole, and nephew, Brian Cole.
Sharon attended Terry Parker and graduated from Sandalwood High School. She received her Bachelor and Master's Degrees in Education and Counseling from UNF. Her 31 year career with the Clay County School System began as a teacher at Lakeside Middle School and then as a guidance counselor at Ridgeview High School. She was also a talented floral arranger and worked in a family business at World of Flowers in Lakewood.
After Sharon and Terry's retirement, they began a robust life which included boating, kayaking, fishing, and traveling all over the U.S. in a small motorhome and later in a larger travel trailer. After relocating to Palm Coast in 2011, they developed a group of friends who did just about everything together. After Sharon became ill, this group loved and supported Sharon and Terry and made their lives better in every way. She loved her friends and family deeply.
A memorial service will be held on Sunday, April 11, 2021 at 2:00 p.m. at Clymer Funeral Home & Cremations. A visitation will be held before the service from 1:00 p.m. until 2:00 p.m. A reception will follow at 3:00 p.m. until 4:00 p.m. at Clymer Funeral Home, Palm Coast, FL. Covid restrictions will be respected with masking and social distancing.
In lieu of flowers, donations made be made in Sharon's memory to any of the following: Vitas Hospice Healthcare, the Flagler Humane Society, The Donna Foundation, Community Hospice of NE Florida.
Scattering of her ashes at sea will be done at a later date.
Sharon's family entrusted the arrangements to Clymer Funeral Home & Cremations.
For online condolences and those who would like to join us online for the memorial service, please join us on Zoom, link posted in Sharon's obituary at www.clymerfuneralhome.com.
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Published by Florida Times-Union from Mar. 30 to Apr. 4, 2021.

Memories and Condolences
for Sharon Cole

Sponsored by Jacksonville.com.

13 Entries

Cheryl Ruppert

March 26, 2025

A friend of the ages, although not close physically, we were friends for years! Never thought she would leave us so soon. Regrets are not cool, but I do have regrets about not being around those last few years. You are missed Sharon, that's a truth!

Cheryl Ruppert

March 24, 2024

Sharon’s passing was devastating for her wife, her family and friends, even those friends who did not see her as much in our later years! Friends since our teens, life took us in different directions, despite the parallels in lifestyle and job description, we just were true friends from afar. Loved her with all my heart and miss everyday. My thoughts are with Terry and her adventure buddies remembering the better times with Sharon!

Cheryl Ruppert

March 25, 2023

Miss you my friend!

Cheryl Ruppert

May 5, 2021

Right now I feel like the worst friend in the whole. I’ve known Sharon for the better part of my life and although she reached out to me when she was first diagnosed I sort of lost track of everything when quarantining became a priority. I was thinking of her today and found this announcement. I am so sorry to all her family and closer friends for their loss. I am ashamed that I did not stay in touch more often than we have in the last twenty years. Sharon was a great person and friend.

Skip Willis

April 27, 2021

What a wonderful and talented person who I was privileged to call my friend. We met through mutual friends and became longtime friends for forty years. My sincere condolences and prayers go out to her wife and family.

Vivian Jerrell

April 18, 2021

Sharon was a sweet, compassionate guidance counselor I met during IEP meetings for hospital/homebound students added to my teaching roster who attended Ridgeview High School. She was an advocate with a kind heart for the students there and was helpful as a liaison for me when communicating with the teachers. She also had a witty sense of humor. Deepest condolences and prayers for her family during this sad time.

Olivia Murphy

April 11, 2021

I knew Sharon through my wonderful godparent Terry Riggs, and in my mind these two are just the complete bonded pair. They're my total example of domestic harmony. They each have self-confident independence and competence in everything they do, and together they just spiral around in total mutual understanding and respect. I can't believe it's as easy for the rest of us as they make it seem to be together, to be partners in everything. That's how I saw Sharon, and it is surely a loss. I believe that all energy gets recycled and refound and reused in new ways. For me, Sharon's spirit of rational practicality, of calm assuredness, of little sparks of understated humor, has probably just landed in some new baby somewhere who is going to be observant and serious way beyond their years. What a blessing.

Linda Blackburn

April 11, 2021

Sharon was a very special person and she will be missed be many. I taught with Sharon and I remember she always had a smile on her face and a kind word for others.

Happy times with Sharon and Terry in the Florida Keys. We loved you so Sharon and a little part of each of our hearts is gone. Gary and Sue Carson

Gary and Sue Carson

April 10, 2021

Stephanie Stark

April 4, 2021

I was saddened to read this today. I have always had such great respect for Sharon and loved her and Terri’s company. My heat is broken for all who knew and loved her. Much love to Terri and Sharon’s family.

Elaine (Mayo) Friedmann

April 4, 2021

I worked with Sharon at Lakeside Junior High School (Middle School) and found her to be a caring, compassionate person. She was always willing to discuss a mutual student who was having problems and always showed great concern for that student. The Guidance Department gained an outstanding counselor when she changed positions.
Yes, she was a talented florist. In fact, Sharon did the floral arrangements for my oldest daughter's wedding in 1983--a lovely job.
To know Sharon was to like her, and those of us who were lucky enough to know her will never forget her. Rest in peace, Sharon!

March 31, 2021

May God comfort Sharon's family and friends, and bless them richly for wrapping their arms around them so closely in their time of need. As long as she continues to live in your hearts, she will be near enough to watch over you. I am sorry for her illness and for the hearts that broke because of it.

Gwen Hannah

March 25, 2021

Sharon was a most unique person. She was always positive towards others, professional in every way, and tremendously fun in a social setting. All my memories of Sharon bring a smile to my face and a warm glow deep in my soul. All of us who knew her feel honored to have been her friend.
Gwen Hannah

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