Patty Cole

PATTY ALICE COLE 1915 - 2011 Patty Alice Cundiff Cole, daughter of George and Laura Cundiff, was born in Sulphur Springs Valley, Arizona on July 29, 1915, and passed away peacefully at her home on Feb. 11, 2011, surrounded by her angels. She was the last of 13 children (6 boys, 7 girls). She attributes her long life of 95 years to growing up in the Arizona territory with a regular diet of mesquite beans! Her elementary education was completed at the Sulphur Springs School, and she graduated from Wilcox High in 1934. In 1935, she and her family moved to Los Molinos, CA. She found employment with the Mills Orchards in Hamilton City, working as a live-in housekeeper for Mrs. James Mills. She continued working there until her parents died in 1937. She then began working for Mrs. Mary Lemke in Durham in the same position, living with their family and caring for the Lemke's son, Martin. It was there that she met a good looking young farmer named Curtis Cole. They dated for a short while and married on Oct. 31, 1938 at the Durham United Methodist Church. They began their new life together on the family property known as Allotment 1 of the Durham Land Colony. There they farmed pink beans, milo, alfalfa, and later almonds. Their son George was born in August of 1939. She and her husband left Durham in 1974 for a 25 year stay in Coos Bay, Oregon, where Curtis experienced commercial fishing and Patty enjoyed gardening, church and friends. Declining health brought them back to Durham, where they resided in the 100 year old original McAnarlin home. Her wild flowers and cacti were always on display for all to enjoy. Patty found great joy in making small quilts for the Children's Hospital in Sacramento, always hand-delivered by Durham's young Stevie Brown, who was undergoing treatment there at that time. She also donated quilts to Chico's Project S.A.V.E. for the children of the tsunami in Sri Lanka, for an orphanage in Papua New Guinea, and to the Chico Women's Catalyst. Over the last 10 years Patty donated more than 700 small quilts to various causes. In a small corner of each quilt is her saying, "Made Lovingly By Patty". In April 2009, the Durham Friends of the Library honored Patty for giving of herself and talent, and in May of 2009, the Durham Parade and Picnic Committee named Patty "Woman of the Year". She was excited and proud to ride in a red and white convertible through the streets of Durham waving to her life-long friends along the parade route. Patty was preceded in death by her son, George in 2003, and her husband, Curtis in 2007. She is survived by Mary Olsen (sister-in-law) of Redding, and many nieces, nephews, and friends. A Celebration of Life for both Patty and Curtis Cole will be held on Saturday, March 12, 2011 at 11:00 a.m. at the Durham Community Adobe Church. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Durham Volunteer Fire Dept., the Durham Friends of the Library, Butte Hospice, or your favorite charity, in care of Brusie Funeral Home.