MILLINOCKET – Ralphline “Dolly” Cole went to heaven Feb. 21, 2011, after a brief and graceful battle with cancer.
She was born July 7, 1925, in Belmont, Mass., to Louis and Rose (Grazioso) Villani.
Dolly graduated from Milo High School in 1943. She was known for being one of the best jitterbug dancers in the Milo area, and later confessed that she dreamed of becoming a famous Rockette. She attended Eastern Academy of Beauty Culture, Inc., Bangor, graduating in 1944. Dolly married her husband, Calvin Cole, Sept. 14, 1946. They soon moved from Milo to Millinocket, where they built a home and raised two children, Jeff and Rose. Dolly worked for W.T. Grant when it opened in 1966 and continued working for its successors until she retired in 1985. Throughout her working years, you could always hear her laughing and clowning around while keeping her co-workers amused with her playful antics. It wasn’t out of the ordinary to see Dolly singing and dancing just to entertain people. She was a social butterfly who everyone loved being around. She had a friendly, happy-go-lucky personality and a unique and contagious laugh. Dolly was full of life and a very special, hip lady. She was always on the go and talked whenever she had an audience. Many of her favorite memories were spent having coffee with her friends, and she quickly became a staple to the local coffee crowd after she moved to Millinocket.
During her retirement she and her husband spent 15 winters together in New Smyrna Beach, Fla., where Dolly was active with bingo, shuffleboard, line dancing, cocktail parties and playing cards with friends. She will be missed for her very easy going nature, quick laughter and carefree spirit. Always accepting of the way things were, she never complained and always had a positive outlook.
Dolly is survived by her children, Jeff Cole, and Rose Davis and her husband, John, all of Millinocket; three grandchildren, Brent and Julie Cole and Karen Davis; and two brothers, Joseph Villani of Milo and Louis Villani and friend, Cindy, of Millinocket. She will also be missed by her friends, Betty, Pat, Diddie, Donna and Mary. In addition to her parents, Dolly was predeceased by her husband, Calvin Cole; a brother, Ralph Villani; and a sister, Rose (Villani) Hamlin. Special thanks goes out to Val Leino and Denise Bragdon, who went out of their way to help care for Dolly at her time of need. The family also thanks Debbie and Donna from Community Health and Counseling Services.
At Dolly’s request, there will be no funeral services. Please remember her with happiness and laughter. Gifts in memory of Dolly may be sent to Katahdin Area Support Group, 10 Field St., Millinocket, ME
04462. Arrangements are by Lamson Funeral Home, Millinocket. Messages of condolence may be expressed at
www.lamsonfh.com.