Lorie M. Postlethwaite Coll

Although her parents lived in Ravenna, it was their wish that she be born on the Wesley Delaney homestead in Wileyville, West Virginia. She was born December 18, 1928, and they returned two weeks later and she spent her entire life in the area.

Educated in the Ravenna schools, she was a majorette, a gym leader, in plays, and on the school newspaper staff. Lorie entered Kent State University in 1947, graduating in 1951 with a Bachelor of Science in Education.

When at Kent State, Lorie participated in basketball, softball, volleyball, synchronized swimming, and archery. For three years, she served as co-director of the Sharks Club and the annual water show. She and partner, Pat Maglione Reppa, dedicated the Memorial Pool in the MAC Center when it was dedicated in 1950.

While at Kent State University, she met Jim Coll, a star athlete and veteran from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The two would marry in August of 1951. They lived in Kent and became active in the Kent Jaycees. They moved back to Ravenna at 957 East Riddle Avenue in 1955 – a home built by Lorie’s father and her brother Red Postlethwaite.

After three years and three children, husband Jim insisted that she have an outlet. In 1958, Lorie coined the word “Slimnastics” and formed an exercise class which she held twice a year for ten years. Teaching was her main goal, and she taught elementary physical education in the Ravenna schools at West Park and Tappan.

Following her husband’s death in 1985, she was asked to run for the KSU Blue and Gold Board of Directors. In her first year, she was chosen “Rookie of the Year” and in 1994 was chosen MVP in fund raising at the annual fund raising drive. In 1996, she was elected president – the first woman ever elected president of a booster club in the Mid American Conference. She served two years as president and 13 years altogether.

Another passion was the Christian Cupboard, an outreach of the Ravenna Ministerial Association. This volunteer group provides emergency food for those in need.

As a member of the First United Methodist Church, she and Jim taught Junior High classes, the Willing Worker’s class, was Superintendent of the Sunday School, plus served on multiple committees, along with being an advisor with husband Jim to the Methodist Youth Fellowship. Lorie enjoyed her memberships in Tri Sorosis and later Beta Sorosis where she also served as president.

She described herself as a true “Tom Boy.” Lorie loved all sports, and in later years participated in golf leagues at both Windmill Lakes and Kent State, serving as president of both.

She is survived by her sons James L. Coll III and wife Phyllis of Ravenna and Robert R. Coll and wife Leah of State College, PA, and daughter Lorie Coll Marozzi and husband Victor of Rootstown. Known as “Mamie” to her grandchildren, they are: Luke, Ryan (fiancée Kelsey Hunyadi), Jeff, Emily, and Jonathan Coll and Anthony and Collin Marozzi. She is also survived by her brother S.D. “Red” Postlethwaite and two nieces and a nephew.

Lorie was preceded in death by her parents A. Ray and Beulah (Delaney) Postlethwaite, her husband James Coll Jr., and her sister-in-law Ruth Postlethwaite.

Friends will be received Sunday, October 14, 2012, from 1:00 – 5:00 PM at the Wood-Kortright-Borkoski Funeral Home, 703 E. Main St., Ravenna, and on Monday from 11:00 AM until 12:00 PM at the church. Pastor Stephen Sparling will officiate the funeral service at 12:00 PM on Monday at the First United Methodist Church of Ravenna. Interment will follow at Maple Grove Cemetery.

Condolences and memories may be shared at www.wood-kortright-borkoski.com. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be sent to the Trustees of the First United Methodist Church, 263 S. Prospect St., Ravenna, OH 44266.

(Wood-Kortright-Borkoski 330-296-6436)