Jeanne Ann Cole

Jeanne Ann (Penwell) Cole, 90 years old of Mt. Orab, peacefully passed away in her home surrounded by loved ones on Saturday, February 1, 2025. Growing up in Winton Terrace, Jeanne graduated from Our Lady of Angels. She met the love of her life, Max Cole, when they were just teenagers and they married at 17 & 18 years of age. Jeanne and Max settled in Finneytown and started a family. Staying home to raise Debbie & Max Jr., it wasn’t until they were in school that she began working as a teacher’s aide at Whitaker Elementary. When the librarian position became available, Jeanne jumped at the chance to share her love of reading with the students. For 30 years she enjoyed working with the children on their reading skills and made a significant impact on many of their lives.

After retirement, Jeanne immersed herself in the lives of her grandchildren and great grandchildren. She and Max took them camping in Brown County, to the zoo & children’s museums, and began an annual trip to Madeira Beach, FL. Jeanne graciously shared her love for the arts with her family. Starting when they were just young girls, Jeanne began taking granddaughters Jennifer and Natasha to see the Nutcracker every Christmas season. When great granddaughter Audrey was old enough, she too, joined the annual tradition. It was important to Jeanne that her love for the ballet and the Children’s Theater was passed down through the generations. At home, Jeanne spent a lot of time working in the yard. She loved tending to her mums and begonias and created a beautiful landscape with her flowers. To know Jeanne was to know a giving, sweet, and loving woman. She was the kind of person you could talk to about anything and know she was listening without judgement. She will forever be remembered for her compassionate heart and gentle soul.

Jeanne will be deeply missed by Max, her loving husband of 73 amazing years; her children Debbie (Tom) Becknell and Max Kenneth Jr. (Donita) Cole; grandchildren Heidi (Chris) Wolf, Patrick (Nicole) Becknell, Natasha (Joey) Gadzala, Jennifer (Derrick) Motley, Kenny (the late Maggie) Becknell, Max Kenneth III (Jackie) Cole; 14 great grandchildren and many nieces and nephews.  She is preceded in death by parents Joseph and Grace (Deeken) Penwell; siblings Joseph (Blanche) Penwell and Paul (Pat) Penwell and nephew Jamie Penwell.

Services honoring Jeanne will be held on Friday, February 7, 2025, at the Arlington Memorial Gardens Lakeside Mausoleum Chapel, 2145 Compton Road, 45231 (follow the red line upon entering the memorial park). Visitation 11:00 AM – 12:30 PM. Service 12:30 PM with burial immediately following in the Garden of 23^rd Psalm.