Obituary of Kathy Coffin

With sadness, the family of Kathy Coffin announces her passing at the Church of St. John & St. Stephen Home in Saint John, NB on October 30, 2014. Kathy was born in Saint John on May 14, 1944, daughter of the late Maurice and Audrey (Folkins) McIntyre. Kathy is survived by her loving and devoted husband, Alexander "Sandy" Coffin of more than 48 years; two sons, Alexander "Alex" Philip Coffin and Marc Andrew Coffin; and one daughter, Maggie Coffin Prowse (PJ Prowse), all of the Saint John area. She is also survived by her sister Anne McIntyre (Brian Chatterton) of Edmonton, Alberta and six grandchildren: Alexandra Coffin, Lily Coffin, Jesse Coffin, Ella Coffin, Benjamin Coffin Prowse and Eric Coffin Prowse as well as extended family in NB, Québec, N&L, Alberta, BC and NS. As a young child, in 1955, Kathy was awarded the Mother’s Day Foreign Minister’s Prize by the Federation of UNESCO Associations in Japan. Her early success solidified her interest in art and encouraged her to pursue her creative skills throughout her life. With pride, Kathy graduated with her Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from Mount Allison University (’66) and Bachelor of Education degree from University of New Brunswick (‘69). With her education, Kathy embarked on a career spanning over 30 years as an art teacher and consultant in Oromocto, Labrador City and Saint John. After 36 years in Saint John, Kathy and Sandy moved to Grand Bay-Westfield next to their daughter and family. Following retirement Kathy indulged in quilting and painting, particularly in conjunction with the "Tuesday Girls". A great source of inspiration was her over 40 years of happy times spent with friends and family at the Coffin family cottage in Brackley Beach, PEI and the Coffin homestead in Gaspé, Québec. She was a dedicated member of the Marco Polo Quilters Guild and contributed quilted art from her acquired collection to the NB Museum (all with a keen interest in art history). Over the years, Kathy became an accomplished, innovative and imaginative artist in her own right. Kathy is resting at Brenan’s Funeral Home, 111 Paradise Row, Saint John 634-7424 with visiting on Sunday, November 2 from 2pm-4pm and 7pm-9m. Memorial service will be held at Westfield United Church, 133 Nerepis Road, Grand Bay-Westfield on Monday, November 3, 2014 at 11:00am. Interment will take place at West Covehead PEI at a later date. Donations made be made in Kathy’s memory to the Canadian Cancer Society.