Ann L. Coles

Ann L. Coles 'A formidable personality,' active in Essex and Middlesex political/community groups. Ann L. Coles, devoted mother, grandmother, and a formidable personality with a great sense of humor, died Friday, July 31, 2015, at her home in Point Pleasant Beach, N.J. Born in Orange, N.J., on April 26, 1934, and raised by her parents, Maurice and Phebe Lethbridge, in Short Hills, N.J., Ann graduated from the Beard School, in Orange, as well as Lasell College, in Auburndale, Mass . Ann raised her family in Middlesex, N.J.; she loved to cook and travel and was an avid sports fan, particularly of football. She served as president of the Young Republicans of Short Hills, county committeewoman for Essex County, and secretary for both the Middlesex High School Boosters and the Middlesex Education Association. After college, she began working as an assistant buyer for Hahne & Co., Newark, N.J., and became a buyer for Kirby Block, New York City. She was a secretary for the Middlesex school district and medical assistant with Weisenreider & Catapano, M.D., P.A., of Warren, N.J. She also served as manager for the Scandia Down Shop, in Short Hills, and Gwili Ann Bridals, in Summit, N.J. Her civic/community participation included the Junior League of the Oranges and Short Hills; Junior Woman's Club, Middlesex; the Berkeley (N.J.) Aquatic Parents Committee; Citizens Advisory Committee for Adult Education, and the Guild for the New Jersey State Opera. She was preceded in death by her husband, Alan W. Coles; son, Richard A. Coles, and brother, Robert Lethbridge. She is survived by her children, Ann C. White (Bernie), Carolyn Coles Jones and her sons, Patrick and Ryan Jones; Thomas A. Coles and his sons, Deegan and Collin Coles, as well as her brother, Richard Lethbridge. A Funeral Mass will be held at Our Lady of Mount Virgin Church in Middlesex on Saturday, Oct. 10, 2015, at 11:30 a.m.