
Margaret Cole
DURHAM – Margaret Rose ColeB1965 – 2025BDURHAM – It is with a heavy heart that we announce that Margaret Cole of Durham died suddenly in her sleep on January 3, 2025. The daughter of David and Rosemary (Cousins) Thombs, she was born in Dover-Foxcroft and grew up in Waterville along with her older sister and best friend, Mary. She graduated from Waterville High School, class of 1982, and attended Colby College for two years, after which she spent a year training to be a nurse. She was an accomplished musician who played the viola, the piano, the organ, and had a beautiful soprano voice. In 2001, Meg decided to further her medical training by pursuing a course of study in homeopathic medicine; she graduated from the Devon (UK) College of Homeopathy in 2006 and helped many patients through her private practice.
Meg had a variety of talents, but it was in mothering and healthcare that she found her life’s devotion. After raising their older three children, Meg and John felt called to become foster parents. Meg’s nursing training made her especially drawn to caring for children with special needs. Over a period of nine years, Meg and John adopted three of the foster children they had cared for.
Meg was predeceased by her parents. She is survived by her devoted husband of 41 years, John Cole; her children Betsy Nichols-Cole of Brunswick; Rebecca Cole of Anaheim, Calif.; James, Aidan, and Sean Cole of Durham; Liam Cole of Vassalboro; her sister, Mary Thombs and nephew Evan Robinson of New York, N.Y.; grandsons, David and Henry Nichols; brothers-in-law Larry Cole and George Robinson; sister-in-law Natsuko Cole and nieces Michelle and Ann; aunt Lilia “Betty” Cousins; uncle Chester Nutting; aunt and uncle Richard and Rhoda Thombs; aunt Nora Thombs; and many cousins.
A celebration of life gathering will be held in the spring; details will be available on the Brackett Funeral Home website http://www.brackettfh.com.
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