Donna Hopwood Cole enjoys a surprise combination birthday and retirement car-parade that led off with a Lexington police cruiser and included over sixty vehicles. The parade was organized by her daughter Tracy Cole Marrigan with help from her brother Steve.
By Devin Shaw
After 37 years of running a home-based day-care in Lexington, Donna Hopwood Cole has decided to retire. The life-long Lexington resident recently had a surprise combination birthday and retirement car-parade that led off with a Lexington police cruiser and included over sixty vehicles. The parade was organized by her daughter Tracy Cole Marrigan with help from her brother Steve. The large turnout featured families of her most recent kids, former students, parents of former students, and parents of students who were once students themselves. Her son, Steve Cole, Jr exclaimed, “You know you’ve had a long and successful career when so many people show up to express their gratitude and good wishes. Especially, when that includes parents who were also mom’s students when they were children.”
Donna explained, “Unfortunately, I was unable to reopen my day-care due to the State’s rigid regulations in regards to COVID-19. So, it was a sudden retirement and it made the car-parade really bittersweet. I have had this business for 37 years and I’ve loved it. It allowed me to stay home with my own children when they were young. I was devastated because I had absolutely no closure. I didn’t know it was the last day back in March and I couldn’t give the kids hugs and say an appropriate goodbye.”
She continued, “I was planning to retire in the fall anyway, but I was really looking forward to this last summer. I would have had the closure and would have been able to say goodbye. I totally love the kids.”
Even though it was not the goodbye Donna had envisioned, the love was reciprocated with all the cars that showed up, most all completely filled with people who simply wanted the share the moment and express their gratitude. All of the vehicles were adorned with signs expressing love and thanks to a woman who dedicated 37 years to caring for children here in Lexington.
When the tough decision was made to close her day-care permanently, what was originally going to be a birthday event evolved into something greater, and the guest list grew. Donna said, “There were four families in the parade that I had taken care of both the parents and their children!” Emotions of joy and gratitude were evident as Donna greeted each of the vehicles and the families inside. Clearly, love was the overall theme of the day.
The kids loved “Mrs. Cole” so much that oftentimes, when they were older, they would come back and help out over the summer. That includes her daughter Tracey, who worked at the day-care for 17 years! Donna estimates that she has cared for over 1,000 kids during the 37 years of operating her day-care.
I would be remiss if I didn’t acknowledge Donna’s husband Steve Cole, Sr. Steve, also a Lexington native, is the son of former longtime State Representative and Town Moderator, the late Lincoln P. Cole. Donna’s late father, Bob Hopwood was also active in the community through his longtime association with the Lexington Lions Club.
Of course, when I asked Donna what she is looking forward to in retirement, she told me, “I have three grandchildren and I am looking forward to helping my son and daughter with their families!”
Some things never change! Congratulations, Donna, on a well-deserved retirement.
