Mary Lee Cole

Mary Lee Cole, 84, of Spokane, Washington, peacefully passed away while surrounded by family on Monday, April 21, 2025, at Multicare Valley Hospital in Spokane Valley.  

She was born June 28, 1940, in Libby, Montana, to Russell and Mary O. Little. As the youngest of two girls (sister Norma Bache preceded her in death in 1987), Mary Lee was the apple of her father’s eye and, as she freely admitted, spoiled something terrible! 

On Dec. 27, 1957, she married her high school sweetheart William (Bill) Cole. Their first two sons, William (Bill) and Shawn, were born in Libby. In 1967, the couple moved their young family to Alaska, where they lived until 1998. Their third son, Gary, was born in Alaska. During this time, Mary Lee continued to make long visits to Libby to visit family and friends. Bill and Mary Lee lived in Anchorage, Wasilla and Valdez, Alaska, as well as a time in Hawaii in 1988. 

In 1999, the couple moved to Spokane to be near their grown children. They began snowbirding in Apache Junction, Arizona, a practice Mary Lee continued even after Bill’s passing in 2006 and until the time of her own passing. She loved her time in Arizona, enjoying the warmth, playing Bingo, going to potlucks, riding around in her golf cart and spending time with her friends. 

During the summers, she returned to Spokane, where she loved visiting her grandchildren and great-grandchildren, watching them in their various activities, whether soccer, swimming, or music and, most recently, going to car shows with her son, Shawn. At different times, she worked in real estate, ran a home daycare, and worked as an activities director. Mary Lee had many friends and spent countless happy hours chatting on the phone with those she loved. 

Mary Lee is survived by her sons, William (Laura), Shawn (Darci), and Gary (Lanita), sister in law Betty Burnett, her grandchildren Brittney (David), Brian (Randi), Michelle (Cory), Alex (Dylan), Rusty (Mel), Mary Beth, Ayden, Anders, Alden, Alyn, 17 great-grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews.  

Graveside services will be at the Libby Cemetery at 1 p.m. Friday, May 16, with a reception to immediately follow at the Libby Assembly of God. 

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Teen Challenge in Spokane.