Beatrice C. Cole Ollinger

Beatrice Cole Ollinger, beloved wife, mother, grandmother aunt and friend, passed away on Thursday October 16, at 1:00 p.m., at North Fulton Medical Center, at the age of 76. She is preceded in death by her father, Howard A. Cole; mother Hilda Herman Cole and sister Joan Cole Steinbrenner. She is survived by her husband of 55 years, William H. Ollinger; her six children, Catherine Ollinger Cowan of Ocala, FL; William H. Ollinger, Jr., of Lilburn; Tricia Ollinger Ward of Charlotte, NC; S. Cole Ollinger of Cincinnati, OH; Paul M. Ollinger of Atlanta; and Claire Ollinger Rohlen of Ball Ground; 16 grandchildren; dozens of devoted nieces and nephews, and many friends.

Bea is so well loved because she touched so many lives with her deep faith, patient and welcoming love, and perpetual readiness to be there when anyone needed her. She is remembered particularly for her work in adult education and with the Separated and Divorced Group of St. Jude the Apostle Catholic Church, in Sandy Springs, where she was a parishioner for more than 20 years. Over the years, dozens of individuals and families turned to her for wise, loving guidance on a range of matters both pastoral and personal. She is also remembered for her ace carpooling skills and inventive casserole making.

Born February 21, 1938, in Poughkeepsie, New York, Beatrice attended Barat College before marrying Bill Ollinger on November 21, 1959, at Christ the King Cathedral, where she attended elementary and high school. She earned a BA in from Georgia State University in 1985, the product of many very late nights spent studying at the family dining room in Dunwoody, after her sometimes less studious children went to bed. She earned a Master’s in Pastoral Studies from Loyola University in 1988.

Bea also volunteered at North Fulton Medical Center for several years, where other volunteers and orderlies were moved to see her upon her passing.

The family greatly appreciates the kindnesses and concerns shown by many during her illness. At the peaceful moment of her passing, Beatrice was surrounded by family, friends and a steady, prolonged steam of prayers.

The family greatly appreciates the kindnesses shown by many during her illness. A visitation starts at 6:00 pm, with a rosary at 7:30 pm, Sunday October 19, at Sandy Springs Chapel, 136 Mt Vernon Highway, Sandy Springs. A memorial mass is scheduled for Monday, October 20, 10:30 am, at St. Jude the Apostle, 7171 Glenridge Drive, Sandy Springs. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the Ollinger Family Scholarship Fund at St. Pius X High School (2674 Johnson Rd NE; Atlanta, GA 30345) or Catholic Relief Services (www.crs.org).