Obituary of Ruth Kraft Cole

Ruth Adele Kraft Cole, 94, passed away December 11, 2017 in Camden. Born in St. Louis, Missouri on February 16, 1923, she was the daughter of Fred and Ethel Kraft. While in St. Louis, Ruth worked for the Registrar of the Washington University School of Medicine. It was here that she met her future husband, Jack W. Cole, a student at the Medical School. They were married on December 22, 1943. After graduation from medical School Dr. Cole pursued a surgical career in academic medicine. This took the couple to Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland, Ohio. At this time Ruth attended the University, while her husband continued his surgical training. During this time she was also employed at The Allen Memorial library where she worked on editing of The Gould’s Medical Dictionary. Following academic appointments at Case Western Reserve and Hahnemann Hospital in Philadelphia, the couple moved to New Haven, Connecticut where Jack was appointed Chief of Surgery at The Yale-New Haven Hospital. During these years Ruth devoted her time to raising four children, working as a volunteer with multiple organizations including the Girl Scouts, her children’s schools, The Red Cross, and Yale New-Haven Hospital. Ruth was an active member of the Yale University Women’s Organization and enjoyed many of their courses. She was an enthusiastic tennis player and always remained a fan of the game. She was an avid reader and particularly enjoyed English History, biographies, and “a good mystery”. Ruth and Jack traveled extensively. They spent a year in London where Jack studied and Ruth had a “wonderful time”. After her husband retired in 1991, they moved to Camden. She was a member of the First Congregational Church in Camden, The Camden Garden Club, and The YMCA. She also enjoyed attending courses given by the Maine Senior College. She felt herself to be blessed with a loving family and many dear friends. She is survived by her daughter Dr. Deborah Cole of Wellesley, MA, her son Dr. Douglas Cole and his wife Patricia of Rockport, her son John Cole and his wife Maureen of Portland, OR, her son in law Peter Lawler of Bethesda MD. , and her grandchildren Alissa Ruth Duffy of Wayland, MA, Matthew Lawler of Bethesda MD, Sam Cole of Portland OR, and David Cole of Brooklyn, NY. She also has 3 great-grandchildren. She was predeceased by her beloved daughter Linda Tracey Cole Lawler in 1986 and by her dear husband Jack in 2002. May they all rest in the comfort of His arms. There will be a family memorial service at a later date.