St. Clair County Mental Health honors longtime supporter
By Barb Pert Templeton
St. Clair County Community Mental Health recently gave out the first ever Karen Cole Family Advocate Award.
An Algonac resident, the late Karen Cole, passed away early this year at the age of 99. A Celebration of Life event to honor Cole was hosted at the Algonac Lions Hall on May 25.
At a June 3 Algonac city council meeting Algonac Mayor Rocky Gillis said that while he couldn’t make it to the memorial Councilwoman Cathy Harris attended the event to present a proclamation from the city.
Algonac Mayor Pro Tem Dawn Davey said she hoped she could do just a fraction of the work Cole managed to do during her lifetime.
“Her advocacy made it to where my daughter can live independently and for all of the adults who have developmental impairments and who are, the definition of diversity, equity and inclusion,” Davey said.
“She was a very special lady,” Gillis added.
Karen Cole, of Algonac, passed away on Feb. 8, 2025 at the age of 99.
An announcement in a newsletter on the SCCCMH website noted that the agency was ‘proud to present the inaugural Karen Cole Family Advocate Award to longtime advocate Jo Ann Wilton.’
The notice added that the award was created in memory of Karen Cole who was a former SCCCMH Board Chair and tireless champion for individuals with disabilities.
“This award honors those who demonstrate exceptional commitment to advocacy, inclusion, and community connection,” the announcement stated.
It also noted award recipient Jo Ann Wilton embodied the spirit of the award due to her decades of work on behalf of individuals with developmental disabilities— most notably her son—and her leadership on the SCCCMH Recipient Rights Advisory Committee and former Developmental Disabilities Family Advisory Council.
Wilton also founded Women’s Life Chapter 820 – The Archangels, supporting local causes and promoting inclusion.
“Through fundraising, public speaking, and storytelling, Wilton has dedicated her life to advancing opportunity and empowering families,” the announcement stated.
When contacted by phone after the council meeting Davey said Wilton’s Women’s Life Chapter hosts the annual “Heart of a Hero” dinner and all proceeds go to the ARC of St. Clair County.
“I think she was the perfect person to get this first Karen Cole Award,” Davey said. “She’s just amazing.”
An impressive legacy
When you live to be nearly 100 and remain extremely active into your 90’s, – including jumping out of an airplane at the age of 93 and taking a spin in an ultralight aircraft nicknamed “the flying lawnmower” at 97 – well there’s much to be admired.
Such was the long and distinguished life of Karen Cole, of Algonac, who passed away on Feb. 8
Cole’s list of accomplishments is certainly impressive. She retired from the Algonac Savings Bank as an assistant vice president and branch manager. She also served as a volunteer for the Blue Water Hospice, Algonac Schools, and River District Hospital. She served two decades as a member of the Board of Directors of St. Clair County Community Mental Health. She was also a member of the River District Hospital Board of Directors. She was named the mayor of the City of Algonac in 1976. She was chosen Algonac Citizen of the Year in 2000.
Here is an excerpt from the speech introducing the Karen Cole Memorial Advocate Award that SCCCMH Executive Director Deb Johnson read at the 60-year anniversary dinner for the agency.
Karen was an advocate who really cared about people and was passionate about the work we did at CMH.
Karen once shared a guiding principle that shaped her life. Every morning, she woke up and said to herself: “I will live this day with courage and gratitude and will treat others with kindness and tenderness and also myself.”
This wasn’t just a daily affirmation for Karen; it was a way of life. She not only spoke these words, but she lived them every day.
It is because of Karen’s warm heart, her strength of character, and her commitment to advocating for others that we have created this award—to honor individuals who exemplify the same values of kindness, advocacy, and relentless dedication to improving the lives of others.
