Obituary of Alyce B. Cole

Alyce Briggs Cole, 82, of Harpersfield, passed away on Sunday afternoon, April 9, 2023, peacefully at her home surrounded by her family.

Born on the family farm on Pumpkin Hollow Road in East Meredith on November 2, 1940, Alyce was the daughter of the late Frank and Minnie (Pedersen) Briggs.

After graduating from Charlotte Valley Central School in 1958, Alyce worked at the Singer Sewing Machine Store on Main Street in Oneonta, where she also taught sewing lessons.  Alyce also worked for Century 21 as a certified real estate agent for a period of time.  She was a member of The Board of Education at Stamford Central School where her boys attended school.  Alyce’s favorite occupation was when she operated a local day care from her home in Harpersfield, caring for local children for decades.   One of her daycare highlights was the yearly float for the children in the Stamford Flag Day Parade.  Alyce also loved having garage sales.  She often invited 5 or 6 families to participate in her huge annual summer garage sale. She loved being around people and reminiscing about the past and discussing the future.

Alyce was an avid crafter and enjoyed traveling to craft shows around the area. She also enjoyed sewing, knitting, quilting, crocheting, and working in her flower gardens.  However, Alyce’s greatest joy was her family, always keeping up with her three sons and her grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

She is survived by her companion of over 43 years: Roger Champlin of North Harpersfield; sons: Frank Cole of Ft. Myers, FL, James (Michealle) Cole of Burlington Flats and John (Christa) Cole of Stamford; seven grandchildren: Jamie, Megan, Wayne, Jimmy, Julie, Dustin and Dylan; seven great-grandchildren: Anna, Ellie, Carter, Carson, Mckenna, Charlotte and Brooke; three sisters: Kay Cronk, Marjorie Bull and Bette Shaw; several nieces, nephews, cousins and her canine companion: Callie.

A short graveside memorial will be held at 11:00 on Saturday, April 29, 2023, at Jefferson Evergreen Cemetery, Jefferson, NY followed by a celebration of Alyce’s life at 1:00 at the Col. Harper Grange Hall, 170 Wilcox Road, Harpersfield. In lieu of flowers, please honor Alyce’s love of potluck dinners by bringing a dish to pass.

Please visit www.macarthurfh.com to share a condolence with the Cole family.