Cecelia Ellen McDermott

Cecelia Ellen McDermott passed away on August 7, 2015 at Circle of Life Hospice with her husband and three children by her side after being diagnosed with metastatic Breast Cancer in 2013. Cecelia was 61 years old. Cecelia was born in Yonkers, New York on May 22, 1954. She was the sixth child and fourth daughter born to Edward and Margaret (Murtha) McDermott. Cecelia graduated from Mount St Ursula Academy in 1972 and continued with her studies at City College of New York, where she graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Geology in 1976. She attended further training at Milchem where she earned certification as a Mud Engineer in 1977. She became one of few women to work as a mud engineer on the oil rigs of Louisiana. It was at Milchem where she met her husband of 33 years, Ralph Cole. The two were married July, 9 1982 and had three children in Houston, Texas. Cecelia became a stay at home mom after the birth of her third child and, the family moved to Bentonville, Ark. shortly after. To continue to be close to her children, Cecelia began to work for the Bentonville Public School District when her final child entered Kindergarten. She worked for BPS for over 5 years under many job titles: teacher's aide, permanent substitute, health aid, special services secretary, etc. At the time of her passing, Cecelia was a Worker's Compensation Adjuster and 10 year associate with Walmart. She enjoyed reading, crocheting blankets for family/friends, and watching real life crime dramas. Cecelia spent most of her free time with her grandchildren enjoying the local parks and trails. She enjoyed Saturday morning Flea Markets on the Bentonville Square and the semiannual Craft Fairs of the Northwest Arkansas Area. Cecelia is survived by her husband, Ralph Cole of Bentonville; three children, Laura Cole, Dennis Cole, and Jeff Cole of Bentonville; four grandchildren, Davin Cole-Jackson, Fiona-Dayne Cole-Jackson, Grace Cole, and Cailyx Cole; her sister, Eileen Hughes of New Jersey; and two brothers, Edward McDermott of Connecticut, and Gregory McDermott of New York. She was preceded in death by her father, Edward McDermott; mother, Margaret (Murtha) McDermott; two sisters, Mary Coffey and Patsy Wolfe; and nephew Brian Wolfe. A Celebration of Cecelia's life will be held on August 13, 2015 at 3 p.m. at the Compton Gardens of Bentonville, Ark. Please send donations to Hope Cancer Resources, hopecancerresources.org, in lieu of memorials. On-line condolences may be made at www.funeralmation.com.