Mildred Cole

Mildred T. Cole (Millie), 87, of Pinellas Park, FL, passed away peacefully on January 20, 2025, at Carrington Place Rehab Center in St. Petersburg, FL. Millie was born in Ukraine on September 25,1937. She immigrated to the United States with her mother and sister, spending most of her early years in Danbury, CT, where she met her husband, Robert (Bob) Cole. Millie and Bob raised their three children in Danbury before retiring to Florida in 1995. Millie and Bob were married for 51 years until his passing in 2008.

Millie is survived by her two sons, Robert (Elizabeth) Cole of Monroe, CT, and Michael (Christina) Cole of St. Cloud, FL, and her daughter, Teresa (Robert) Clapp of Pinellas Park, FL. She was also cherished by her six grandchildren (Jeffery, Matthew, Alison, DeeAnna, David, and Michael), three great-grandchildren (Tapanga, Gregory and Colbie), and one great-great-grandchild, Nora. Millie was predeceased by her mother, Elisabeth Tyzamko, and her sister, Tamara Sawatzky, of Manitoba, Canada.

Millie spent many years sharing her Ukrainian heritage through baking delicious breads and pastries, as well as collecting and creating Ukrainian egg art, called pysanka. She was always active in her church community, both at St. Nicholas Byzantine Catholic Church in Danbury, CT, and at St. Therese Byzantine Catholic Church in St. Petersburg, FL. Millie volunteered at Ruth Eckerd Hall in Clearwater, FL, and at the Senior Center of Pinellas County. She was a proud member of the Red Hat Society and an avid Tampa Bay Rays fan, attending many home games with her dear friend, Marianne. She enjoyed participating in events at the clubhouse within her community and cherished the friends and neighbors she made there.

A celebration of life will be held on February 9th at St. Therese Byzantine Catholic Church, 4265 13th Ave N, St. Petersburg, FL, following the 9:00 a.m. Divine Liturgy. She will be laid to rest at Bay Pines National Cemetery with her husband at a later date, surrounded by friends and family. In lieu of flowers, please send donations to St. Therese Byzantine Catholic Church