Constance Luella Cole

A beloved mother and grandmother, Connie lived a life of adventure. She was born in Minot, North Dakota on November 13, 1939, to June Watson. When Connie was a young child, she and her mother moved to Spokane, Washington, where she spent her formative years. After graduating from high school, she enrolled at Gonzaga University. Shortly thereafter, her calling to serve others and explore the world led her to Nome, Alaska, where she became a teacher as part of a church mission program. It was there she met her future husband Charles Cole. After marrying, they raised their three children in Fairbanks, Alaska.

Connie spent a significant part of her adult life traveling the world. She lived in such exotic places as Australia, Zimbabwe, Hong Kong, Spain, and Mexico. Closer to home, in addition to Alaska and Washington, she spent time in Texas, California, Pennsylvania, and New Mexico. Her adventurous spirit lives on in those she leaves behind, and through one of her clever sayings, “You’re never lost if you don’t care where you are.”

Connie will be remembered for her generosity, wry sense of humor, distinct style, love of travel, and for living life on her own terms.

She is preceded in death by her mother, June Watson, and stepfather, Jim Watson. She is survived by brother Tim (Sabrina) Watson, daughter Susan Cole Zimmerman, son Charles Cole Jr. (Ximena), daughter Kristin Cole Murkowski, and grandchildren Hollen Zimmerman, Cole Zimmerman, Ty Zimmerman, Charles Cole III, Kaylee Cole, Courtney Cole, Jack Murkowski, and Colin Murkowski.

Graveside service will be held at 2:30pm on Saturday, March 25, 2022 at Riverside Memorial Park in Spokane, Washington.