Elizabeth Anne Burke Cole

Elizabeth Anne "Betsy" Burke Cole, age 60, of Dayton, formerly of Edgewater, FL and Stockbridge, MA, was carried away by the angels in her sleep on January 14, 2022. After enduring decades of chronic health struggles, her quiet passing was blessedly peaceful.

Betsy cherished and shared many happy memories of her childhood and family years in the village of Stockbridge, MA. She attended Stockbridge Plain School, Searles Middle School, Monument Mountain Regional High School and was a graduate of the Riverview School in East Sandwich on Cape Cod.
Betsy and her family moved to the Dayton, Ohio area in 1982. There she befriended Vietnam Veteran Doug Cole, with whom she shared 38 years of loving commitment and marriage. Betsy and Doug's deep, absolute and unconditional love for one another is a perfect example of the love described in 1 Corinthians 13: It kept no record of wrongs, always protected, always trusted, always hoped and always persevered. To have known Betsy and Doug is to know that they loved one another, fiercely, effortlessly and perfectly.

Betsy's family was not limited to parents, siblings, and relatives. She chose to adopt and embrace many friends (including online) as family throughout her life. She loved angels and animals, especially horses and golden retrievers, and was a fan of fantasy and romance fiction, online games, virtual worlds and social media. Betsy was never without big dreams and a big laugh. She was incredibly resilient and forgiving, had a generous heart and could be counted on anytime for bear hugs.

She was preceded in death by her Burke and Pipping grandparents; her Burke uncles Dan, John and Frank; her uncle Jerry Pipping, who was her godfather; her cousins Jenny, Karen and Bob; and her favorite golden retriever, Cinnamon.

Betsy is survived by her devoted husband Doug Cole; her parents, Clay and Sue Burke of Willow Street, PA; her sisters and their families: Carrie Doyle of South Bend, IN and nephews Peter and Jeremy Doyle; Tracy Burke of Buford, GA and nieces Meg, Abby, Ceci and Miranda; Kathy Burke-Howe and her husband Ted Howe of West Chester, PA and their children Cameron and Jaden.

The family wishes to gratefully acknowledge the professionalism, support and bottomless kindness of Denise Dews, Carol Marcellino, Dr. Katherine Lambes, Dr. Alexis Parks Myton, and the entire staff of Laurelwood Assisted Living, especially Angel, Emily, Kali, Kim, Lauren, and all the CNAs. They also thank Fran, Robin and the late David Cole, for sharing Doug with Betsy to her great benefit.

Visitation will be held Saturday, May 28th, 2022 from 10 AM to 11AM with a celebration of life service beginning at 11 AM, all at Pleasantville United Church of Christ, 3424 Limekiln Pike, Chalfont, PA 18914. Betsy will be interred alongside other Burke family members.

In lieu of flowers, contributions in Betsy's memory may be directed to the Riverview School in East Sandwich, MA.

To share a memory of Betsy or to leave a special message for her family, please click the 'Share Memories' button above.