Cecelia Louise Cole

COLE, Cecelia Louise, age 64, of Lake Shannon, died Tuesday, January 2, 2007 at Beaumont Hospital. Funeral Services will be held 6PM Saturday, January 6, 2007 at Sharp Funeral Homes, Fenton Chapel, 1000 Silver Lake Rd., Fenton. Fr. Christopher Welsh officiating. Cecelia will make her last trip around Lake Shannon in funeral procession which will leave at 4PM Saturday from the funeral home, and then return for the funeral service. Everyone is invited to make the trip. Visitation will be held 2-4 and 6-9PM Friday at the funeral home. Memorial contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society. Cecelia was born September 23, 1942 in Grand Rapids, Michigan the daughter of Joseph and Cecelia (Truszkowski) Green. She married Donald Cole on September 15, 1967 in Royal Oak. Cecelia's burning enthusiasm for the arts took her to Europe for an educational summer tour of art history. A true passion and talent for the arts lead her to teaching classes at Cranbrook. Her detailed eye could create balance of color, and express the reason in her own works of art, with little words used. This confidence in herself and gregarious personality convinced her to start her own business. A third decade business owner of Lakeside Custom Framing she has created and restored abstracts, collages, oils, pastels and figurative works, that on more than one occasion brought tears to customer eyes as they picked up their treasures. Continued education classes gave her the knowledge in the latest oil, and restoration techniques. Her business grew, due to her impeccable reputation for taking any oil painting, no matter what the condition, and restore them to their original splendor. One such piece of art was the work of Henry Ford I, and Barney Holfield's painting of the first racecar ever built. This 4' x 5' painting came to her in five pieces. Now it is currently traveling with the NASCAR circuit. Other famous artists works of Fredrick Remington, Green and works contributed to Gainsborough were also restored. Cecelia was Vice President of the Founders Society of the Flint Institute of Arts in 2002. Here she not only restored oils for the Institute but also was the leader in running art fundraisers for the FIA. This plant lover and green thumb took her design talent and incorporated it into every part of her life. In 1969, her husband Don, and her purchased land on Lake Shannon. They took on the un-heard of and daunting task of building their own home with very little hired help. Burning the midnight oil, drilling floor joist at 10 degrees, paid off, as two years and two months later, the couple began their life together living in their creation that as of now, can only be described as a resort. Ceal took the time to be supportive in her daughter's passion for the sport of gymnastics. Three days a week driving her 45 minutes one way to practice, and greeted each day with a home cooked meal, packed up and ready to be eaten in the car. Her involvement in the Lake Shannon Water Ski Club was unlike any other- accepting the position of prop designer, builder, and show announcer of the Four Bears Park production of 'Wizard of Oz'. Her passion, commitment tenacity, and unselfishness she displayed in every part of her life will live through her husband and her daughter. She will be greatly missed. Surviving are her husband, Donald of Lake Shannon; daughter, Katie De Main and husband Joe of West Tawakoni, Texas; mother Cecelia Green of Canton; brother, Don Green and wife Marilyn of Big Rapids; 2 sisters, Patricia Frazee and husband Bill of Plymouth, Barbara Green of Westland; and many good friends. She was preceded in death by her father, Joseph. Those desiring may share online condolences or post a  tribute at www.sharpfuneralhomes.com.