Nancy Marie Bender-Cole, aged 83, entered eternal rest after a long and beautiful life on July 16th, 2026.

Born on February 2nd, 1943, in Monroe, Michigan, she was the daughter of Frank and Genevieve (Swiderski) Bender. Nancy grew up in Monroe, attending St. John's School, where she was a lifelong member of St. John the Baptist Catholic Church Monroe, MI. She attended St. Mary Academy before graduating from Monroe High School in 1961. Following her passion, she attended the Virginia Farrell Beauty School, graduating in 1962.

Nancy began her long, successful career as a beautician practicing alongside her mother, Genevieve, at the family-owned Jenny Lee Beauty Shop in Monroe. She went on to spend many years at Irene’s House of Beauty and eventually retired from Creations Unlimited in 2010. Spending nearly half a century dedicated to lifting others up, boosting their confidence, and helping them feel like the best version of themselves is truly a profound legacy.

Beyond her career, Nancy’s true love language was staying connected to those she held dear. She poured her heart into reaching out to family and friends with greeting cards or

handwritten notes, a beautiful tradition that became her signature. Famous for adorning her envelopes and notes with a tapestry of vibrant stickers, she sent a little piece of her joyful spirit with every delivery. Everyone who loved her knew a message of love from Nancy had arrived the exact moment they looked in the mailbox, bringing a warm smile and a comforted heart to all who received them.

Nancy had a deeply generous spirit and found immense joy in giving back to her community. As a talented hair stylist, her care went far beyond the salon. She frequently visited friends, clients, and even complete strangers in their homes or at rehabilitation centers, using her skills to make them look and feel their best while offering a warm smile and a listening ear. Her heart for service extended to delivering Meals on Wheels to neighbors in need, and she spent years sharing her faith and love with children as a Sunday School teacher at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Monroe, Michigan.

Nancy loved her neighborhood deeply and considered her neighbors to be her chosen family. She will be dearly missed by Mark, Rick and Lisa, Rich and Linda, and Joe, and the many other close friends on her block who filled her life with endless support, and companionship.

In 1991, Nancy married John R. Cole, sharing 31 years of marriage until his passing in 2022. Together, they loved taking road trips and camping at Wilderness Campground in Dundee, Michigan, especially when accompanied by their grandchildren. As passionate NASCAR fans, they also looked forward to infield camping at Michigan International Speedway (MIS) in Brooklyn, Michigan, during big race weekends.

Nancy’s family was her greatest joy. To cherish her memory, she leaves behind her two children, Renee Brooks (David Everts, Jr.) and David Brooks, both of Monroe, who fondly reminisced that she always wished she could go back and raise them all over again.

She leaves a legacy of love with the sparks in her life, her beloved grandchildren: Adrianna (Adam Thomas) MacAllister of Petersburg, Nicholas Brooks of Monroe, and Shane (Jenna) Brooks of Mason, MI. Nancy felt incredibly fortunate to have them close by, enabling her to spend every moment she could with them. With great excitement and pride, she recently became a great-grandmother with the birth of Colson D. Brooks, born to Shane and Jenna in March of this year.

She will also be deeply missed by her beloved cat babies, Desmond, Smokey, and Jet.

Following the passing of her husband, John, his brothers and sisters made an extraordinary effort to ensure that Nancy always remained at the very heart of the family. Her family owes a special debt of gratitude to Roger 'Buck' Cole and his wife Wanda, Mary Helen (Cole) Blohm, and Linda Krueger and her husband Larry, as well as her many loving nieces and

nephews, who went above and beyond to wrap Nancy in love and keep her deeply involved in every family function.

Nancy’s memory will also be cherished by her sister-in-law, Billie Bender (wife of the late Edward F. Bender), as well as her stepchildren and their families.

We extend a special, heartfelt thank you to her many cousins and best friends, especially Jenny (Bender) McIntyre, Margie Bacarella, Sharon Swiderski, Jodi Miletti, Marti (Swiderski) Christopher, Pat Montry, and Jodi Duvall. We must also remember those that preceded her in death: Dorothy ‘Dottie’ Magoon and Barbara Harrington. They generously gave countless hours of their time, bringing immense joy through talking on the phone, reminiscing, and sharing endless laughter. The thoughtful cards, delightful little prizes and beautiful flowers they regularly sent brought great joy to her days.

Nancy was preceded in death by her parents, Frank and Genevieve (Swiderski) Bender; husband, John R. Cole; her infant daughter, Shellee Jean Brooks; her brother, Edward F Bender; her father-in-law, Scott Cole; her brother-in-law, Gerry Blohm; and her brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Charles and Phyllis Cole.

Memorial contributions are suggested to Friends of Animal Companions in Monroe, MI. or the SPCA in Dundee, MI.

Per her wishes, cremation has taken place. No services are planned. Bacarella Funeral Assisted the family.

Online condolences and special memories may be shared with the family by visiting the obituary page at www.bacarellafuneralhome.com.