Lelia “Lee” Mae Cole, 94, of Sweet Home, Oregon passed away Thursday, September 22, at Wiley Creek Community. She was born in Sweet Home to James and Vera (Coulter) Morehead.

After graduating from Sweet Home High School, Lee attended Albany College in Portland. World War II interrupted her studies and she went to work at Columbia Aircraft. There, she met Jay Cole, her beloved husband for 71 years. She worked at the State of Oregon Board of Health from 1944 until 1949.

When her younger son started school, Lee returned to college at Lewis and Clark and earned her BA and Master’s in Education. She taught at Richmond School in Portland for 17 years. Upon retirement, Lee and Jay moved back to Sweet Home where Lee was active in her church, PEO, ADK, and calligraphy classes.

Lee is survived by her sons, James Cole of Wright, NY and David Cole of Portland; and granddaughter Jennifer Cole of Wright, NY.

A celebration of life gathering will be at 1:00 p.m., Saturday, October 1, at Gilliland Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to your favorite charity in Lee’s memory.

Sweet Home Funeral Chapel is handling the arrangements.