Ileana Bennett Coole

Ileana Bennett Coole Ileana passed into the arms of Jesus on Sunday, August 21, 2016 at the age of 84. Born in Elmira, NY on February 27, 1932, Ileana was the 9th of 11 children born to the late Curtis M. Bennett and Mary Estelle Thomas Bennett. In addition to her parents, Ileana was pre-deceased by her brothers; Curtis, Shirley, Durland, and Jacob; sisters; Leona, Vera, Evelyn, Valera, and Irma as well as several brothers-in-law, sisters-in-law, and special daughter-in-law, Teresa "Terri" Coole. Ileana was a 1950 graduate of Southside High School. It was there in 1949 where her vibrant personality attracted her husband of 65 years, Stanley Coole in the junior play, "Swing Fever". After high school Ileana found work at DeClercq's Photography where she applied color by hand to what was then black and white portraits. While raising her young family, Ileana involved herself in activities surrounding her children by becoming a Brownie leader and Cub Scout den mother as well as participating in the PTA. In 1978 Ileana moved with her family to Palm Beach Gardens, FL where she worked her way up from an accounting position to management at the North Palm Beach Country Club which led to a management position with the Village Garden Condominium Association, where she ultimately retired from in 2001. Upon her retirement, she returned with her husband to her hometown of Elmira, NY where she enjoyed the company of her family and life-long friends, traveling to old favorite locations such as Alexandria Bay and making new memories on a cruise to Alaska. She especially enjoyed summer vacations with family at Keuka Lake and a night out at the Theater, where she would dress "to the nines" to see countless best of Broadway Plays. Although Ileana wore many hats throughout her life her biggest accomplishment and the one she took the most pride in was being a mother to her six children; Stephen Coole of Montverde, FL; Cynthia (Pete) Barton of Dansville, NY; Denise (Rocco) Cantore and Jeffery Coole, both of Palm Beach Gardens, FL; Victoria Monti of Pembroke, MA; and Nanette (Randy) Evans of Erin, NY. She especially enjoyed being a doting grandmother to her 16 grandchildren. In addition to her husband, children, and grandchildren, Ileana is survived by her sister, Carol Green of Erin, NY; brother-in-law, Robert Burnham of Elmira Heights, NY; sisters-in-law, Betty Bennett of Corning, NY and Jane Bennett of Elmira, NY; as well as several nieces, nephews, and caring friends. Ileana's family would like to especially acknowledge the compassionate care provided in her home by Valerie Briggs and Samantha Blaine over the past several years as well as the remarkable care provided to her by the 5th floor nursing staff at the Chemung County Nursing Facility. Family and friends are invited to gather at Olthof Funeral Home, 1050 Pennsylvania Ave, Elmira, NY on Saturday, September 17th, 2016 from 11 :00-12:00 PM. A celebration of Ileana's life will follow the visitation at 12 PM. A reception will immediately follow the service at the Hibernians Center, 701 Kinyon St, Elmira, NY 14904. Words of Condolence and Memories may be left at www.olthof.com. Those wishing may remember Ileana with a donation in her name to The Clemens Center, P.O. Box 1046, Elmira, NY 14902-1046.