Gail Patricia Cole

Gail Patricia Cole, 83 of Ocala, Florida went home to be with the Lord surrounded by her beloved family on July 31, 2024. Gail was born in Lowell, Massachusetts to Ciro Eugene and Grace (Duffy) Pomponio on June 18, 1941. The Pomponio family moved to Florida when Gail was very young, and it was here that she built her life. Gail met and married William (Bill) Cole Jr. and together they had Gail’s five surviving children including Tammy Venezia, Tim (Kim) Cole, Kathy (Richie) Crile, Gene (Soraya) Cole and Rob (Morgan) Cole. Also surviving Gail are her ten grandchildren including Josh (Lauren), Travis (Alyson), Ryan (Chelsea), Connor (Colby), Delaney, Reagan, Trenton, Chance, Riley and Braxton; eight great-grandchildren including Jordyn, Josie, Jaxsyn, Tinley, Brixton, Ryder, Cooper and Hudson; her sister-in-love Linda Cole; many nieces and nephews and their children who were so special to her; and friends she made along the way who continued to walk with her to the end. While her union with Bill ended, they continued to celebrate their family together in Ocala, Florida. The forgiveness, grace and empathy she showed for others has served as an amazing example for us all. She was preceded in death by her beloved parents Gene and Grace Pomponio, her loving sisters Marie, Betty Jean and Sandy and her best friend Stella Abrams who likely met her at the pearly gates with profanity over how long it took her to get there. More than anything, Gail (GiGi) enjoyed spending time with her family and friends. She was a lifelong bowler, was wicked good at gin rummy and cribbage and loved watching sports of all kinds. She also enjoyed her annual trip to Biloxi and would like her heirs to know they can find their inheritance deposited at the slot machines. She had a good case of FOMO and you could bet that she would be the life of the party until the last call. You could always find GiGi in the stands supporting her children and then her grandchildren in their sport of choice or other endeavors they set out to accomplish. She also loved the Miami Dolphins and as their most avid armchair quarterback, spent many hours discussing strategy and recruitments with her sons. Most of her career was spent as a bookkeeper and she enjoyed decades in this capacity at Gause and Son Jewelers where her coworkers became her lifelong friends. She was baptized as a Catholic and considered Blessed Trinity in Ocala, Florida her home church. She will be interred with her sister Betty Jean at Good Shephard Memorial Gardens in Ocala, Florida. We will celebrate Gail’s life in a casual Service of Remembrance to be held on Wednesday, August 14, 2024 at 2:00 at the chapel at Good Shephard Memorial Gardens. A gathering for fellowship will follow immediately after the service at Gail’s home. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests you make a donation in Gail’s name to the Hospice of Marion County to support their mission of providing compassionate care for those at the end of their journey as they did for Gail.

Gail Patricia Cole

June 18, 1941 - July 31, 2024