Harriet V. Cole

On November 22, 2018 HARRIET V. COLE (nee Godman); beloved wife of the late Clair L. Cole; devoted mother of John T. Cole and his wife Linda, Dennis R. Cole and his wife Karen and David C. Cole; cherished grandmother of Amy S. McMahon, Timothy J. and Michael R. Cole and Kathryn T. James; adoring great-grandmother of Isabelle, Alice, Matthew, Carson and Arielle.

Harriet Cole was born Harriet Godman on May 26, 1928. She was one of six children, two boys and four girls. She attended schools 74 and 49 in Baltimore City, she completed 3 years of middle school in two years. Harriet graduated from Eastern High School in 1945.

After graduation Harriet began her career in the printing industry. She started out as an estimator for Universal Lithographers, the first company to print books by lithography. The company also printed the first books of scenic photography of the Chesapeake Bay and the Baltimore vicinity. The books included photographs by A. Aubrey Bodine, a photojournalist for the Sunpapers for 50 years. During her career in the printing industry, she also worked for Urban Printing, Optic Binding and Printing and Rosedale Printing where she worked until she was in her 70’s.

She met her future husband, the late Clair Cole, at Oxford Methodist Church which was located at 24th Street and Greenmount Avenue in Baltimore City. She and Clair married on September 15, 1951 and eventually became the proud parents of three sons, John, Dennis and David.

Clair was drafted into the Army one month after they were married, he was serving in London when their first son John was born. Clair also worked for Universal and Optic; Clair worked in preparation, preparing materials to get them ready for printing.

Harriet was one of the first people to drive across the Chesapeake Bay Bridge in 1952 and that she used to ride the ferry boat down to Ocean City and she enjoyed visiting friends in New York City.

She was also a member of The Order of the Eastern Star, the largest fraternal organization in the world to which both men and women may belong. She joined the organization in 1950 and has served in various capacities including Worthy Matron. She has served as Secretary for the last 25 years.

She and Clair started attending Loch Raven UMC in October, 1953, but did not officially join until May, 1954. She joined Loch Raven UMC because Carroll was her Youth Counselor; per Harriet, “He was a young counselor and I was an older youth”. Nan Doggett invited her to join the United Methodist Women and she continues her service to this day. She is a Past President and currently serves as Vice President.

In its heyday, LRUMC boasted 1700 members, with 75 members in the youth group. The group was broken down into several smaller groups. Both Harriet and Clair were Youth Counselors. The church put on a lot of plays back then and Harriet performed in a lot of them, mostly musicals. The plays were directed by Martha Bennett.

She was also part of the camping group organized by Henry and Martha Vohrer. Harriet remembers that the men would do shows to entertain their fellow campers on Saturday nights. Clair and Harriet started the “Road Runners” travel group, organizing annual bus trips for church members. They went to various places around the U.S. and lead several trips to England and Europe. Clair also started the Oyster and Sour Beef Dinners and was Chairman for the Dinners for many years. The dinners were a great fundraiser and a great source of fellowship for the Church.

Harriet has spent three quarters of her life in this church and she continued to serve as an active member. She has served in various capacities including Lay Member to Baltimore Washington Conference for over 35 years, to date, the only position she hasn’t held is President of the Board of Trustees. Her fondest memory of the church: “Looking back at the dedicated people we’ve lost over the years”. Also remembering how much God has and continues to bless Loch Raven UMC.

Following the passing of Clair, Harriet moved to Maryland Masonic Homes, October 2007. Harriet was very content and active there. She served as President of the Resident Council. With her many friends she plays cards and board games almost every evening.

The family will receive friends in the LEMMON FUNERAL HOME OF DULANEY VALLEY INC., 10 W. Padonia Road (at York Road) Timonium, Maryland 21093 on Wednesday, November 28, 2018 from 2:00 pm to 4:00 pm & 7:00 pm to 9:00 pm. A Celebration of Harriet’s life will be held in Loch Raven United Methodist Church, 6622 Loch Raven Blvd., Baltimore, Maryland 21239 on Thursday, November 29, 2018 at 11:30 am.

Interment Private.

Expressions of sympathy may be directed in Harriet’s name to Loch Raven United Methodist Church at the above address.

A Guest Book is available at www.lemmonfuneralhome.com