Barbara Ann Cole

Barbara Ann Cole “Gorton” passed into the arms of our loving father on December 20, 2006. She bravely lost the fight against lung cancer. Barbara was born in Batavia, New York on May 13, 1926, the daughter of Irwin Alfred Cole, M.D. and Ethel Mae Spicer Cole. Barbara attended and graduated from Batavia High School and then the two year Penn Hall School for girls. Barbara and her father were very active in the Batavia Players on Horseshoe Lake and appeared in many plays together during the 40’s,50’s and 60’s. Dr. Cole was Chief of Staff of St. Jeromes and Genessee County Hospitals. Barbara graduated from Pasadena Playhouse in Pasadena, California with a B.A. in Theatre Arts. She choose Acting and pursued a career teaching drama at the high school and college level, teaching at Seabreeze High School in Ormond Beach, Florida, Mainland High School in Daytona Beach, Florida, and Stetson University in Deland, Florida. She delighted in the students and even continued this after retirement. She lived in Sun City, Arizona and then Fort Collins, Colorado, where she continued to pursue her talent in painting and portraiture,where she was awarded ribbons of excellence for her watercolors. Barb was a member of the S.W. Artists Society and studied under many art professionals. Recently Barbara had lived in the Lake Conroe, Texas area of April Sound, where she enjoyed her book club and bridge club, and living near her daughter Kay and husband Tom. Over the past four years she was an assistant to the Drama teacher at Montgomery High School and delighted in helping the high school students perform award winning plays. Barb’s favorite slogan was “How Sweet It Is”. She maintained a wonderful sense of humor and loved life. She was a “Grand Lady”. She is survived by four children: Kathryn “Kay”Thompson, Montgomery,Tx., Edward D. Gorton “Ty”, Fort Collins, Colorado, Jeffrey I. Gorton, Orlando, Florida, and Mark Cole Gorton, Westminister, Colorado; Eight grandchildren, 2 great grandchildren, 9 nieces and nephews and 1 cousin, Mrs. Jerry Burger, Rochester,NY. Gifts can be made to the American Lung Association or M.D.Anderson Cancer Center, Houston,Tx. in her honor. A memorial service will be scheduled in the future. Arrangements have been entrusted to Sam Houston Memorial Funeral Home, Montgomery, Texas.. You may leave the family written memorial condolences at www.shmfh.com.

Barbara Ann Cole

May 13, 1926 - December 20, 2006