Fairwell

Mrs. Thelma Adeline (Cook) Coler, born October 5th, 1931, passed quietly in her sleep on May 31st, after a three year battle with dementia. Her long and remarkable life was distinguished in the minds of all who knew Thelma for her genuine warmth and enthusiasm, a curiosity undiminished by age, and her faith in the redeeming power of hard work well done.


Thelma always extolled the virtues of having a positive attitude toward achieving goals and enhancing relationships. No problem seemed insurmountable for her. Friendships formed easily, and lasted a lifetime. Optimism, faith, and tenacity brought Thelma many successes. But her greatest pride arose from her experience mentoring young people; instilling in them the confidence to approach life head-on, and to rise above their own expectations.


Courage also defined Thelma. It was that true courage to be decisive, to take risks, and accept mistakes as the price of success. When she was young and seeking adventure in the 1950’s, she traveled alone to work and live in post-war Heidelberg. From those years she brought home indelible memories of changes happening to rebuild a different, modern Europe. It was a model for her future; always to challenge the conventional wisdom, and always to support those seeking the less worn path.


She was married fifty-three years to Dr. Roderick Coler and ran his busy office practice in Kennewick, and that of two other physicians. Her support for Kennewick General Hospital was tireless. She raised four children with a clear understanding that your life is only as big as your dreams. Remembering her days in Europe, she was always an advocate for a better world in which the next generation of women would rise above the old barriers to education and the choice of a professional life. Thelma was never one to regret the past, nor worry about the future. She made the day at hand as prosperous as it could be, embracing any opportunity she found to learn something new, or to encourage a friend.

She leaves behind her husband Rod, four children, nine Grandchildren, a beloved cat, and the countless people who felt, and may still feel her influence for years to come.


We will think of you Thelma when we embark on the new day, focused on the challenges that lay ahead, but then pausing to enjoy the warmth of the sun on our back, and listen to the birdsong overhead. We will sense that you are again at our side, reminding us as you often did, that it is glorious simply to be alive.


A ceremony celebrating Thelma’s life will be conducted under the Reverend Jody Lediard at Saint Pauls Episcopal Church, 1609 W. 10th Avenue, Kennewick, at 4PM, on June 17th. In honor of Thelma, please offer your support to Saint Paul’s Episcopal church, and to the ongoing efforts of Kennewick General Hospital to provide high quality care to the community she loved.