Kay Rose Cole

Kay Cole, 89, passed away on March 9, 2026, surrounded by members of her loving family. A member of Grace Episcopal Cathedral of Topeka, she was blessed to receive the last rights of the church as she prepared for her journey home to God.

Kay was born in Pottsville, Pennsylvania, to Andrew and Ramona Riotto. She attended John Harris High School in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. In 1966 she married the love of her life Charles Cole.

Professionally, Kay worked for Pomeroy’s Department Store, United Telephone, and Argo Mills, before becoming a case worker at the Rest Haven Nursing Home in Schuylkill Haven, Pennsylvania, in 1980. In 1985, she was promoted to Social Service Director. In 1992, Kay founded and directed the first Alzheimer’s Unit and support group in Schuylkill County, Pennsylvania, which she oversaw until 1995. She then directed the Alzheimer’s Unit at Spruce Manor Nursing Home in Reading, Pennsylvania, from which she retired.

Kay is survived by her three children, Kathy Anne Couch (Stephen Couch), Virginia Ruth Lukehart (Paul Lukehart), and Helen Marie Matsko (Eric Matsko); five grandchildren, Amanda Rose Hartz (Andrew Hartz), Katherine Grace Hauquitz (Aron Hauquitz), Andrew Joseph Matsko, Rebecca Christine Tilton (James Tilton), and Alexa Marie Matsko; and six great-grandchildren, Madison Rose Hauquitz (Domingo Garcia), Stephanie Kyra Wirth (Carter Wirth), Kaitlyn Tasha Hartz, Cole Aron Hauquitz, Rowan Palmer Tilton, and Emory James Tilton.

She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, and her great-granddaughter Isabella Ramona Hartz.

A funeral service will be held at 1:00p.m. Central Daylight Time (2:00p.m. Eastern Daylight Time), Thursday March 12, 2026 at Dove Southwest Funeral Chapel, 3700 SW Wanamaker Road, Topeka, Kansas. The service will be preceded by a visitation at 12:00 p.m. Central Daylight Time and followed by a reception. Burial will take place in Pennsylvania at a later date.