Anna Mae Cole's Obituary
Anna Mae Cole, age 90 of Batesville, Indiana and formerly of Chicago, died Wednesday, November 11, 2015 at the St. Andrew's Health Campus. Born July 26, 1925 in Chicago, she is the daughter of Mary (Nee: Miller) and Dickson Jaycox. She married Robert Cole June 21, 1947 in Chicago and he preceded her in death on October 5, 2012. As a secretary during her career in the Chicago area, she worked for Crane Plumbing four years, St. Benedict's Grade School ten years, the Neighborhood Boy's and Girl's Club ten years, and as an election judge. She was a member of the American Legion Ladies Auxiliary, the Neighborhood Boy's and Girl's Club Mother's Club, the Burlington Northern Retiree's Group, St. Benedict Ladies Society, Chicago Archdiocese Council of Catholic Women, and helped the Misericordia Home for children and adults in need. She was inducted into the City of Chicago Seniors Volunteer Hall of Fame and the Neighborhood Boy's and Girl's Club Volunteer Hall of Fame.
Obviously Anna Mae's passion was volunteering. It started in her teens as a member of the American Legion Juniors Drum and Bugle Corps. As a USO hostess during WWII she met Bob. For many years she spent one day each week at the Chicago Veterans Hospital as a patient transporter. She also spent much time with the Ladies Auxiliary putting together gifts and then delivering them to hospitalized veterans. She never missed the yearly opportunity to raise money selling poppies. No matter what the weather on Poppy Day she was dedicated to working one of the busiest Chicago street corners selling as many poppies as possible. Her faith was important to her and she lent her beautiful voice to St. Benedict's Choir for years. Her family teased that cooking wasn't her strong suit. Because she did not get a driver's license until later in life, she walked everywhere or used public transportation systems. Apparently she knew the bus, “L” and subway schedules so well that people would ask for her help to get them to their destinations. She was a great communicator. Several times a year she composed a family newsletter which was distributed even to distantly related cousins, keeping everyone updated on extended family events. Anna Mae loved celebrating anyone’s birthday but especially looked forward to the cards she would receive on her day. Two of her unique talents were the attention she paid to conversations so when someone wished they knew what to get this person, she would suggest something that person had mentioned. The other was her ability to parody well known songs which would then be performed in skits and programs for the groups she was involved with.
She is survived by her daughter and son-in law Mary Anne and Chuck Martz of Batesville; sons and daughters-in-law Robert and Deborah Cole of Skokie, Illinois, Kenneth and Doreen Cole of Palatine, Illinois, William and Penny Cole of Cary, Illinois; brothers William Jaycox of Pompano Beach, Florida and Joseph Jaycox of Chicago; seven grandchildren and ten great grandchildren. In addition to her husband and parents, she was also preceded in death by her sister Mary Catherine McCarthy; brothers Richard and Thomas Jaycox; one grandson and one great grandson.
The family will receive friends Saturday, November 21st, from 9:15 to 10:30 a.m. at St. Benedict’s Church in Chicago. Funeral Mass will follow at 10:30 a.m. with a private interment at Maryhill Cemetery. Memorials may be made to the Neighborhood Boys & Girls Club, 2501 W. Irving Pk. Rd., Chicago, IL 60618 or St. Benedict’s Church, 2215 W Irving Park Rd, Chicago, IL, 60618.
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