Jo Hirst Cole

Jo Hirst Cole passed away at Connecticut Hospice in Branford on December 12th. Jo spent her youth in Meriden and Madison, and with her husband, David L. Cole, and family was a Clinton resident for many years. Jo was born in Meriden, CT, daughter of the late Genevieve and James F. Hirst, on April 17, 1940. She was a 1958 Hand High School graduate, and graduated from the Meriden Hospital School of Nursing in 1961. Her professional practice as a Registered Nurse included ten years in acute care in Connecticut; Wichita, Kansas; and Lubbock, Texas, followed by twenty-eight years in rehab and long term care at Saybrook Convalescent Hospital (Applecare). Jo’s most treasured role was that of being David’s wife and mother to their three children, and grandmother to their seven grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. She is survived by her husband, David, and their children William Hirst Cole (Rose), their children Crystal Sonn (Michael) and Christian Campos, and grandchildren Madeline and Carly; Rebecca Finn Kadel (Laxman), their children Maya and Ravi; and Ashley Callahan Ramage (Andy), their children Cole, Mae, and Brody. Additionally, Jo leaves her dear sister-in-law Gail W. Hirst and her nieces and nephews Toni, Jim, Rae, Fagan, Luke and their families. She was predeceased by her parents, her brother, James; her sister, Ann Jane Suchurgast; nephew Todd C. Hirst; and infant niece, Laura G. Hirst. A memorial service will be held at the First Church of Christ, 55 Church Rd. Clinton, followed by a church hall reception on Friday, Dec. 19th at 11:00 A.M. Swan Funeral Home will be in charge of arrangements. There will be no calling hours, and burial will be private at Beaver Brook Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Smilow Cancer Center at Yale New Haven Hospital, P.O. Box 1849, New Haven, CT 06508. Please visit www.swanfh.com for online tributes and condolences.