Charlene Cole

AKWESASNE – Ms. Charlene Cole, 55, of 147 Cole Road, peacefully passed away early Wednesday morning, August 8, 2012 at her home under the loving care of her family, friends, and Hospice of the North Country.

Charlene was born June 19, 1957 in Massena, the daughter of the late Howard J. Cole and Charlotte Thomas Cole. She first attended St. Regis Mohawk Schools before going to Salmon River Central, where she graduated in 1975. She then went to CCBI in Syracuse, graduating in 1976. Charlene later attended Northeastern Tech Institute in Lafayette, where she learned heavy equipment operation.

After high school, Charlene worked for a short time with the St. Regis Mohawk Tribe. After she graduated from NTI, she worked for Green Island Construction. In 1983, she began a 23 year career with Barrett’s Paving in Norwood with the Teamsters Union Local #687 in Potsdam. While at Barrett’s, she operated a R-35 Euclid until her retirement in 2005. She was a communicant of St. Regis Catholic Church. She loved to “hang out” with her family and friends; laughing and having a great time was one of her greatest enjoyments. Charlene truly loved taking her beloved “Alexia” to area playgrounds and loved collecting lighthouses. Charlene was also an avid New York Yankees fan.

She is survived by her loving companion of 15 years, Wally Mitchell; a chosen granddaughter, Alexia Mitchell, age 5; her mother, Charlotte Cole of Akwesasne; Wally’s children, Patricia and Wilson Ransom, Leigh-Ann and Paul Sawatis, and Raun Mitchell, all of Akwesasne. She is also survived her by four granddaughters, Krystian, Kamryn, Alexia, and Kayle; five grandsons, Jordy, Brady, Toryn, Kasey, Briley; and her godchildren, Jeff LaMay, Jamie Benedict, Jason Cole, Colby Bradford, Matthew Martin, and Christopher Thompson.

In addition, Charlene is survived by her sisters, Carol and Ronnie White and Claudia Martin, her brothers, Kerney Cole and Simon and Dorothy Cole, all of Akwesasne. She is also survived by her uncle, Barney and Beatrice Cole of Akwesasne, her sister-in-law, Bessie Cole of Akwesasne; her godmother, Peggy Cole of Akwesasne; and many nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.

She was predeceased by her father, Howard on June 10, 1985; and 3 brothers, Louis in infancy, Joseph “Dust” Cole in July 15, 1982 and Gerald “Wishe” Cole in July 6, 2000.

Friends may call Thursday 7-9 and Friday 2:00-9:00 PM at the Donaldson Funeral Home, Massena. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Saturday 1:00 PM at St. Regis Catholic Church with Rev. Jerome Pastores, celebrating. Burial will follow in St. Joseph’s Cemetery, Akwesasne.

Memorial contributions may be made in her memory to the Akwesasne Cancer Support Group, PO Box 1043, Akwesasne, NY 13655.

Condolences may be made online at http://www.donaldsonfh.com.