Obituary of Rita M. Cole

COLE Rita M. (nee Surette), loving sister of Phyllis (Sam) Kovnat, Robert (Eileen) Surette, the late Henry (Joan) Surette, Alfred (Jean) Surette, and Frank (Toni) Surette. Cherished daughter of the late Henry and Evangeline Surette. She is the devoted aunt of numerous nieces, nephews and great-nieces and nephews. She also leaves behind her dear friend, Mary Bender. Rita was a resident of Mariemont for 25 years and before that a resident of Indian Hill. She was a longtime, active parishioner of St. Gertrude Church. Rita collected old movies, love stories and Frank Sinatra CDs. She had a special love for animals and collected abandoned pets. She was bilingual and enjoyed extensive travel through North America and Europe, but her favorite place always remained New England. In her fifties she went back to school to earn a nursing degree from Deaconess Hospital and a Bachelor of Science from Xavier University. She felt she had a special calling to care for the elderly and used her nursing skills to keep elderly clients comfortable and at home until they died. Rita was well known for her Boston accent, quick wit and sense of humor. She was loved for her caring manner, deep spiritual insight and her generosity of spirit. She passed away at home with friends in attendance on Friday, April 8th at the age of 95. A visitation will be held on Tuesday, April 19th from 9:00AM until the time of Mass of Christian Burial. 9:30AM at St. Gertrude Parish, 6543 Miami Ave. (45243) Madeira. Interment will follow at Rose Hill Cemetery in Mason.