Dau. of David E. and Elizabeth A. (Meuse) Long
Predeceased by her husband, Hervey 'Kibby' Cole, and daughter, Sandra A. Mattson
Irene ""Himmie"" F. (Long) Cole, 99, of Old State Rd. in Erving died Sunday 6-26-16 at Baystate Medical Center in Springfield. She was born in Erving on June 3, 1917, the daughter of David E. and Elizabeth A. (Meuse) Long. Irene attended local schools and was a graduate of Turners Falls High School Class of 1935 as a pro merito student.
On November 30, 1935, Irene married her beloved husband, Hervey ""Kibby"" L. Cole of Millers Falls and they resided in the original homestead where she was born. For over 80 years, Irene was a devout member of the former First Congregational Church of Millers Falls, currently Covenant Church, and a choir member for over 50 years.
Irene was a receptionist for the Millers Falls Paper Company for 25 years until her retirement in 1981. She was a life member of the Erving Historical Society and for many years she was the secretary there.
Irene enjoyed golf, dancing and crossword puzzles. She loved her friends, and especially loved her family and her grandchildren.
Among her survivors, Irene leaves her son, Gary Cole and his wife Linda of Athol, eight grandchildren, Ken (Kathy) Mattson, Leann Zembower, Tracy (Micki) Sigler, Carrie Lu (Tim) Corle, Eric (Susan) Cole, Benjamin (Lea) Cole, Elizabeth (Jeff) McLean and Lisa (Jessica) Cole; thirteen great-grandchildren, Ryan Mattson, Josh Mattson, Dale Sigler, Amber Sigler, Joshua Corle, Andrew Corle, Jeffrey Zembower, Steven Zembower, Teresa Zembower, Leif Cole, Duncan Cole, Jacob Mclean and Eva Cole, and many great great grandchildren.
Irene was predeceased by her husband of 74 years, Hervey ""Kibby"" Cole on July 23, 2009 and a daughter, Sandra A. Mattson in 1987.
Words to remember Meammie from her grandson Eric from Wyoming:
I regret that I could not make the trip from Wyoming, but I want to share how special Meammie was to me and my family. Many people do not even get to know their grandparents, but I was fortunate to have known and loved my grandmother for almost 5 decades.
It is remarkable to me that Meammie was the last remaining of her generation, and her memories were a window into a past that is now long gone. In 1917 she was born at home in the same room where she would later be married, and in the same house on Old State Road where she would live the rest of her life. There was no electricity in the farmhouse; she did her school homework by the poor light of kerosene lamps. There was no indoor plumbing either, and on cold winter nights she dreaded her trips to the outhouse located in the barn, where an unfriendly horse was tethered immediately adjacent to her precarious perch on the outhouse seat. The horse would always press itself against her while she tried to do her business, and she feared being knocked down into the hole. I can still hear her say “You can keep the good old days! I don’t miss them!”
When I was growing up, weekly trips to see Meammie and Gramps’ place were always a highlight. There were hours of sledding in the winter, hamburgers charred to almost unrecognizable black balls in the summer, and plenty of time to wander and explore the woods behind the house. Some of my fondest memories of Meammie were when she would join me on my hikes. She would point out chipmunk holes in the mossy banks adjacent to the trails and insist that this was where the Gnomes and Elves lived. She assured me that when the moon was full the woodland creatures would dance around the mushrooms and sing. I was a scientist even then, and I had my doubts about the whole gnome and elf thing, but she definitely made nature a magical place for me. I will always love her for that. Now, when I hike with my own young boys, I do my best to instill the same wonder and sense of magic in the natural world as Meammie did for me.
I am very sad that she is gone of course, but I am grateful as well. I am grateful to have known her as long as a did; I am grateful for all that I learned from her; I am grateful that she stayed sharp and full of good humor to the very end; and I am grateful that she and Gramps were the source of such a large clan. Now we, her descendants, are scattered across the United States, and although it is difficult for me to imagine that she is no longer in the old homestead on Old State Road, I hope that we all can remember her there with fondness. Be at peace Meammie. We love you.
Predeceased by her husband, Hervey 'Kibby' Cole, and daughter, Sandra A. Mattson
Irene ""Himmie"" F. (Long) Cole, 99, of Old State Rd. in Erving died Sunday 6-26-16 at Baystate Medical Center in Springfield. She was born in Erving on June 3, 1917, the daughter of David E. and Elizabeth A. (Meuse) Long. Irene attended local schools and was a graduate of Turners Falls High School Class of 1935 as a pro merito student.
On November 30, 1935, Irene married her beloved husband, Hervey ""Kibby"" L. Cole of Millers Falls and they resided in the original homestead where she was born. For over 80 years, Irene was a devout member of the former First Congregational Church of Millers Falls, currently Covenant Church, and a choir member for over 50 years.
Irene was a receptionist for the Millers Falls Paper Company for 25 years until her retirement in 1981. She was a life member of the Erving Historical Society and for many years she was the secretary there.
Irene enjoyed golf, dancing and crossword puzzles. She loved her friends, and especially loved her family and her grandchildren.
Among her survivors, Irene leaves her son, Gary Cole and his wife Linda of Athol, eight grandchildren, Ken (Kathy) Mattson, Leann Zembower, Tracy (Micki) Sigler, Carrie Lu (Tim) Corle, Eric (Susan) Cole, Benjamin (Lea) Cole, Elizabeth (Jeff) McLean and Lisa (Jessica) Cole; thirteen great-grandchildren, Ryan Mattson, Josh Mattson, Dale Sigler, Amber Sigler, Joshua Corle, Andrew Corle, Jeffrey Zembower, Steven Zembower, Teresa Zembower, Leif Cole, Duncan Cole, Jacob Mclean and Eva Cole, and many great great grandchildren.
Irene was predeceased by her husband of 74 years, Hervey ""Kibby"" Cole on July 23, 2009 and a daughter, Sandra A. Mattson in 1987.
Words to remember Meammie from her grandson Eric from Wyoming:
I regret that I could not make the trip from Wyoming, but I want to share how special Meammie was to me and my family. Many people do not even get to know their grandparents, but I was fortunate to have known and loved my grandmother for almost 5 decades.
It is remarkable to me that Meammie was the last remaining of her generation, and her memories were a window into a past that is now long gone. In 1917 she was born at home in the same room where she would later be married, and in the same house on Old State Road where she would live the rest of her life. There was no electricity in the farmhouse; she did her school homework by the poor light of kerosene lamps. There was no indoor plumbing either, and on cold winter nights she dreaded her trips to the outhouse located in the barn, where an unfriendly horse was tethered immediately adjacent to her precarious perch on the outhouse seat. The horse would always press itself against her while she tried to do her business, and she feared being knocked down into the hole. I can still hear her say “You can keep the good old days! I don’t miss them!”
When I was growing up, weekly trips to see Meammie and Gramps’ place were always a highlight. There were hours of sledding in the winter, hamburgers charred to almost unrecognizable black balls in the summer, and plenty of time to wander and explore the woods behind the house. Some of my fondest memories of Meammie were when she would join me on my hikes. She would point out chipmunk holes in the mossy banks adjacent to the trails and insist that this was where the Gnomes and Elves lived. She assured me that when the moon was full the woodland creatures would dance around the mushrooms and sing. I was a scientist even then, and I had my doubts about the whole gnome and elf thing, but she definitely made nature a magical place for me. I will always love her for that. Now, when I hike with my own young boys, I do my best to instill the same wonder and sense of magic in the natural world as Meammie did for me.
I am very sad that she is gone of course, but I am grateful as well. I am grateful to have known her as long as a did; I am grateful for all that I learned from her; I am grateful that she stayed sharp and full of good humor to the very end; and I am grateful that she and Gramps were the source of such a large clan. Now we, her descendants, are scattered across the United States, and although it is difficult for me to imagine that she is no longer in the old homestead on Old State Road, I hope that we all can remember her there with fondness. Be at peace Meammie. We love you.
Dau. of David E. and Elizabeth A. (Meuse) Long
Predeceased by her husband, Hervey 'Kibby' Cole, and daughter, Sandra A. Mattson
Irene ""Himmie"" F. (Long) Cole, 99, of Old State Rd. in Erving died Sunday 6-26-16 at Baystate Medical Center in Springfield. She was born in Erving on June 3, 1917, the daughter of David E. and Elizabeth A. (Meuse) Long. Irene attended local schools and was a graduate of Turners Falls High School Class of 1935 as a pro merito student.
On November 30, 1935, Irene married her beloved husband, Hervey ""Kibby"" L. Cole of Millers Falls and they resided in the original homestead where she was born. For over 80 years, Irene was a devout member of the former First Congregational Church of Millers Falls, currently Covenant Church, and a choir member for over 50 years.
Irene was a receptionist for the Millers Falls Paper Company for 25 years until her retirement in 1981. She was a life member of the Erving Historical Society and for many years she was the secretary there.
Irene enjoyed golf, dancing and crossword puzzles. She loved her friends, and especially loved her family and her grandchildren.
Among her survivors, Irene leaves her son, Gary Cole and his wife Linda of Athol, eight grandchildren, Ken (Kathy) Mattson, Leann Zembower, Tracy (Micki) Sigler, Carrie Lu (Tim) Corle, Eric (Susan) Cole, Benjamin (Lea) Cole, Elizabeth (Jeff) McLean and Lisa (Jessica) Cole; thirteen great-grandchildren, Ryan Mattson, Josh Mattson, Dale Sigler, Amber Sigler, Joshua Corle, Andrew Corle, Jeffrey Zembower, Steven Zembower, Teresa Zembower, Leif Cole, Duncan Cole, Jacob Mclean and Eva Cole, and many great great grandchildren.
Irene was predeceased by her husband of 74 years, Hervey ""Kibby"" Cole on July 23, 2009 and a daughter, Sandra A. Mattson in 1987.
Words to remember Meammie from her grandson Eric from Wyoming:
I regret that I could not make the trip from Wyoming, but I want to share how special Meammie was to me and my family. Many people do not even get to know their grandparents, but I was fortunate to have known and loved my grandmother for almost 5 decades.
It is remarkable to me that Meammie was the last remaining of her generation, and her memories were a window into a past that is now long gone. In 1917 she was born at home in the same room where she would later be married, and in the same house on Old State Road where she would live the rest of her life. There was no electricity in the farmhouse; she did her school homework by the poor light of kerosene lamps. There was no indoor plumbing either, and on cold winter nights she dreaded her trips to the outhouse located in the barn, where an unfriendly horse was tethered immediately adjacent to her precarious perch on the outhouse seat. The horse would always press itself against her while she tried to do her business, and she feared being knocked down into the hole. I can still hear her say “You can keep the good old days! I don’t miss them!”
When I was growing up, weekly trips to see Meammie and Gramps’ place were always a highlight. There were hours of sledding in the winter, hamburgers charred to almost unrecognizable black balls in the summer, and plenty of time to wander and explore the woods behind the house. Some of my fondest memories of Meammie were when she would join me on my hikes. She would point out chipmunk holes in the mossy banks adjacent to the trails and insist that this was where the Gnomes and Elves lived. She assured me that when the moon was full the woodland creatures would dance around the mushrooms and sing. I was a scientist even then, and I had my doubts about the whole gnome and elf thing, but she definitely made nature a magical place for me. I will always love her for that. Now, when I hike with my own young boys, I do my best to instill the same wonder and sense of magic in the natural world as Meammie did for me.
I am very sad that she is gone of course, but I am grateful as well. I am grateful to have known her as long as a did; I am grateful for all that I learned from her; I am grateful that she stayed sharp and full of good humor to the very end; and I am grateful that she and Gramps were the source of such a large clan. Now we, her descendants, are scattered across the United States, and although it is difficult for me to imagine that she is no longer in the old homestead on Old State Road, I hope that we all can remember her there with fondness. Be at peace Meammie. We love you.
Predeceased by her husband, Hervey 'Kibby' Cole, and daughter, Sandra A. Mattson
Irene ""Himmie"" F. (Long) Cole, 99, of Old State Rd. in Erving died Sunday 6-26-16 at Baystate Medical Center in Springfield. She was born in Erving on June 3, 1917, the daughter of David E. and Elizabeth A. (Meuse) Long. Irene attended local schools and was a graduate of Turners Falls High School Class of 1935 as a pro merito student.
On November 30, 1935, Irene married her beloved husband, Hervey ""Kibby"" L. Cole of Millers Falls and they resided in the original homestead where she was born. For over 80 years, Irene was a devout member of the former First Congregational Church of Millers Falls, currently Covenant Church, and a choir member for over 50 years.
Irene was a receptionist for the Millers Falls Paper Company for 25 years until her retirement in 1981. She was a life member of the Erving Historical Society and for many years she was the secretary there.
Irene enjoyed golf, dancing and crossword puzzles. She loved her friends, and especially loved her family and her grandchildren.
Among her survivors, Irene leaves her son, Gary Cole and his wife Linda of Athol, eight grandchildren, Ken (Kathy) Mattson, Leann Zembower, Tracy (Micki) Sigler, Carrie Lu (Tim) Corle, Eric (Susan) Cole, Benjamin (Lea) Cole, Elizabeth (Jeff) McLean and Lisa (Jessica) Cole; thirteen great-grandchildren, Ryan Mattson, Josh Mattson, Dale Sigler, Amber Sigler, Joshua Corle, Andrew Corle, Jeffrey Zembower, Steven Zembower, Teresa Zembower, Leif Cole, Duncan Cole, Jacob Mclean and Eva Cole, and many great great grandchildren.
Irene was predeceased by her husband of 74 years, Hervey ""Kibby"" Cole on July 23, 2009 and a daughter, Sandra A. Mattson in 1987.
Words to remember Meammie from her grandson Eric from Wyoming:
I regret that I could not make the trip from Wyoming, but I want to share how special Meammie was to me and my family. Many people do not even get to know their grandparents, but I was fortunate to have known and loved my grandmother for almost 5 decades.
It is remarkable to me that Meammie was the last remaining of her generation, and her memories were a window into a past that is now long gone. In 1917 she was born at home in the same room where she would later be married, and in the same house on Old State Road where she would live the rest of her life. There was no electricity in the farmhouse; she did her school homework by the poor light of kerosene lamps. There was no indoor plumbing either, and on cold winter nights she dreaded her trips to the outhouse located in the barn, where an unfriendly horse was tethered immediately adjacent to her precarious perch on the outhouse seat. The horse would always press itself against her while she tried to do her business, and she feared being knocked down into the hole. I can still hear her say “You can keep the good old days! I don’t miss them!”
When I was growing up, weekly trips to see Meammie and Gramps’ place were always a highlight. There were hours of sledding in the winter, hamburgers charred to almost unrecognizable black balls in the summer, and plenty of time to wander and explore the woods behind the house. Some of my fondest memories of Meammie were when she would join me on my hikes. She would point out chipmunk holes in the mossy banks adjacent to the trails and insist that this was where the Gnomes and Elves lived. She assured me that when the moon was full the woodland creatures would dance around the mushrooms and sing. I was a scientist even then, and I had my doubts about the whole gnome and elf thing, but she definitely made nature a magical place for me. I will always love her for that. Now, when I hike with my own young boys, I do my best to instill the same wonder and sense of magic in the natural world as Meammie did for me.
I am very sad that she is gone of course, but I am grateful as well. I am grateful to have known her as long as a did; I am grateful for all that I learned from her; I am grateful that she stayed sharp and full of good humor to the very end; and I am grateful that she and Gramps were the source of such a large clan. Now we, her descendants, are scattered across the United States, and although it is difficult for me to imagine that she is no longer in the old homestead on Old State Road, I hope that we all can remember her there with fondness. Be at peace Meammie. We love you.
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