Obituary of Ila Mae S. Cole

Ila Mae Smith Cole of Scott Township, passed away peacefully in her home on March 27, 2024. She was 99. Ila was born March 5, 1925, to parents John and Agnes Smith. She spent 21 years with the Bureau of Mines and 20 years with the Department of Energy ILA enlisted in the US Navy WAVES (Women Accepted for Volunteer Emergency Services) in April 1945. She served as a Yeoman in San Francisco, CA until September 1946 when she transferred to the Moffett Airfield in California where she made several flights between California and Honolulu as a flight orderly. She was discharged in November 1947 after her marriage to James A. Cole, an aviation mechanic stationed in Honolulu, HI. She was a member of the Mount Lebanon Post 156 American Legion for 26 years, an 18 year member of the Elks South Hills Lodge 2213, 22 year member of the service league and affiliate member of the Pittsburgh Keystone chapter 120 of the Washington Post and WAVES National Three Rivers Unit 28. In her later years she worked part time at Lazarus and Macy’s for 10 years. She also volunteered as an usher for 20 years at the Benedum and Byham theaters in Pittsburgh. She loved to travel all over the world, went on countless cruises and had a passion for making ceramics. Ila was preceded by her parents, John and Agnes Smith, brothers, John, Oren, Donald, Dean and Roger, and sister, Muriel. She is survived by her brother Charles, and two sisters, Nadine and Lavonne. Ila passed away in her home with her son, Gary James Cole, by her side. She also leaves behind 6 grandchildren; Brian, David (Kimberly), Kristen (Steve), Daniel, Michelle, and Kevin. She is also survived by six great grandchildren, Brennan and Christian (sons of Brian and former wife Melissa), Aiden, Brady, Connor, and Dawson (sons of David and wife Kimberly). Ila, (or Mc-Ila as the grand and great grandchildren would call her) also leaves behind great grand dogs Teller, Cooper, and Charlie all of whom Ila loved to getting kisses from. Friends received Wednesday, April 3, from 2-4 and 6-8 pm, at the Warchol Funeral Home, Inc., 3060 Washington Pike, Bridgeville, where a service will be held Thursday, April 4, at 12 noon. Interment with full military honors to follow at the National Cemetery of the Alleghenies. Memorial contributions may be made to www.padogsforvets.org or www.veteransbreakfastclub.org