Lakewood Mayor Ray Coles announced on Facebook that his beloved mother passed away on Friday.
The mayor wrote:
We lost my mom Noreen on Friday. Well, we really lost her many months ago as Alzheimer’s slowly stole her away.
I volunteered to select the pictures to display at her service tomorrow. I spent all afternoon Friday pouring through literally thousands of family photos spanning 70 years or so.
What struck me most was her smile She was smiling in every picture I found of her. Not just posed pictures, but random shots, many of which I’m sure she didn’t know were being taken. If she had, we may never have seen them!
Watching her life progress from the mid 1950’s when she married dad to a couple Christmas’s ago, holding Gwenn, her second great grand child, brought back the mom I thought was gone forever.
It brought me back to the Catskill Game Farm in the mid 60’s, when we watched as a goat was eating her purse while she laughed along with us, completely unware of why my sisters and I were laughing so hard.
I found a moment I was unaware of, the look of joy on her face as she gazed at my first born, Caitlin, through the nursey window.
Dancing with dad on their 50th and so many many more.
The pain of her loss is still fresh, but seeing the still images of her paint a picture of a life well lived, a life full of happiness and love gave me a sense of peace which I hope will carry us as we adjust to life without her.
No words. I am sorry for your loss. RIP.
Mayor Coles our condolences tp you and your family. I know your mother was always proud of you and she still is. We all know how much you cared for her. I know ray never said no to help a person. The only time i ever heard him say no was when “Mom and Dad are here and i need to spend time with them”
Our prayers are with the coles family.
RIP WHAT A SPECIAL LADY AND WHAT A SPECIAL FAMILY
To the Honorable Mayor- whilst I didn’t know your mum personally, I know you and as someone that’s lived in Lakewood for over 30 years , I along with everyone in this city are saddened by your loss. One can only imagine what a special mum she must have been by just reading what you wrote about her and sharing some beautiful pictures of her. Our condolences to you and your family. And no doubt her love and her rich legacy lives on in the hearts of all that knew her and in the many that wished they did…