Obituary for Sandra P. Coffin
Sandra F. (Pennington) Coffin, age 85 years, of Jefferson City, Mo. passed away Friday, October 28, 2022 at her home.
Sandra was born on April 21, 1937 in Lincoln, Ne., the daughter of Richard ”Max” and Millicent (Shriner) Pennington. She was married on March 23, 1956 in Lincoln, Ne. to J. Neil Coffin who passed away on April 22, 2013.
Sandra was a 1955 graduate of Lincoln High School in Lincoln, Ne. and attended University of Nebraska. Education was very important to her. She chose to complete college later in life, earning her degree in business administration from Columbia College in 1991.
Sandra worked for the State of Missouri for over 26 years in many different roles. She started with the Office of Administration as an accounting clerk working up to an executive administrator. Later, she transferred to program specialist in the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education, retiring in 1996. She was also a talented seamstress, helping many people with alterations out of her home.
She possessed a strong faith and was a longtime member of First Christian Church in Jefferson City. Sandra loved her church involvement and participated in the church choir her entire life. She even met her husband Neil in the choir at First Christian Church in Lincoln, Ne. She enjoyed attending bible study and volunteered her time reading at East School through the church’s mentoring program.
For those who knew her well, she had a welcoming, fun loving, and humorous nature and cherished her role as a wife, mother, grandmother and friend. She enjoyed traveling, especially to Nantucket, Ma., and the many golfing trips with Neil and friends. She looked forward to all holiday gatherings and knew the true value of quality time with family. Sandra was very proud of her grandchildren and was always there for them in any situation. She also liked watching golf, Nebraska and Missouri football, and the St. Louis Cardinals. Sandra loved animals, especially their family pet cats, grand pups, and enjoyed feeding the backyard birds.
She had a creative spirit and liked to keep her mind and hands busy. In her free time, she enjoyed reading, golfing and sewing. She really loved quilting and sewing many items for her family and even made sock monkeys for children, a tradition she continued from her mother. Sandra will also be remembered for her steadfast determination, including beating ovarian cancer in 2011.
Survivors include: three children, Cyndi Hoeller (Henry) of Westphalia, Mo., Gregg Coffin (Claudia) of Columbia, Mo. and Melissa Backues (Stacey) of Jefferson City, Mo.; brother, Richard “Dick” Pennington (Sally) of Lincoln, Ne.; sister, Barbara Brown of Lincoln, Ne.; eight grandchildren, Amanda Kesel (Josh), David Hoeller (Beth), Elizabeth Holtmeyer (Randy), Sarah Hoeller (Chuck Swartz), Nicole Coffin (K.C. Hicks), Ryan Coffin (Janel), Haylee Backues and Kelsie Backues; 11 great-grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her parents; her loving husband of 57 years, Neil; and brother-in-law, Jim Brown.
Visitation will be at First Christian Church from 2:00 p.m. until 3:00 p.m. Thursday, November 10, 2022.
A memorial service will be conducted at 3:00 p.m. Thursday, November 10, 2022 at First Christian Church with the Reverend Michael Dunn officiating.
A webcast of Sandra’s service will begin at 3:00 p.m. Thursday that friends can view by going to First Christian Church's Facebook page.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions are suggested to First Christian Church, 327 East Capitol Ave., Jefferson City, Mo. 65101.
Funeral arrangements are under the care of Freeman Mortuary.
Sandra was born on April 21, 1937 in Lincoln, Ne., the daughter of Richard ”Max” and Millicent (Shriner) Pennington. She was married on March 23, 1956 in Lincoln, Ne. to J. Neil Coffin who passed away on April 22, 2013.
Sandra was a 1955 graduate of Lincoln High School in Lincoln, Ne. and attended University of Nebraska. Education was very important to her. She chose to complete college later in life, earning her degree in business administration from Columbia College in 1991.
Sandra worked for the State of Missouri for over 26 years in many different roles. She started with the Office of Administration as an accounting clerk working up to an executive administrator. Later, she transferred to program specialist in the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education, retiring in 1996. She was also a talented seamstress, helping many people with alterations out of her home.
She possessed a strong faith and was a longtime member of First Christian Church in Jefferson City. Sandra loved her church involvement and participated in the church choir her entire life. She even met her husband Neil in the choir at First Christian Church in Lincoln, Ne. She enjoyed attending bible study and volunteered her time reading at East School through the church’s mentoring program.
For those who knew her well, she had a welcoming, fun loving, and humorous nature and cherished her role as a wife, mother, grandmother and friend. She enjoyed traveling, especially to Nantucket, Ma., and the many golfing trips with Neil and friends. She looked forward to all holiday gatherings and knew the true value of quality time with family. Sandra was very proud of her grandchildren and was always there for them in any situation. She also liked watching golf, Nebraska and Missouri football, and the St. Louis Cardinals. Sandra loved animals, especially their family pet cats, grand pups, and enjoyed feeding the backyard birds.
She had a creative spirit and liked to keep her mind and hands busy. In her free time, she enjoyed reading, golfing and sewing. She really loved quilting and sewing many items for her family and even made sock monkeys for children, a tradition she continued from her mother. Sandra will also be remembered for her steadfast determination, including beating ovarian cancer in 2011.
Survivors include: three children, Cyndi Hoeller (Henry) of Westphalia, Mo., Gregg Coffin (Claudia) of Columbia, Mo. and Melissa Backues (Stacey) of Jefferson City, Mo.; brother, Richard “Dick” Pennington (Sally) of Lincoln, Ne.; sister, Barbara Brown of Lincoln, Ne.; eight grandchildren, Amanda Kesel (Josh), David Hoeller (Beth), Elizabeth Holtmeyer (Randy), Sarah Hoeller (Chuck Swartz), Nicole Coffin (K.C. Hicks), Ryan Coffin (Janel), Haylee Backues and Kelsie Backues; 11 great-grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her parents; her loving husband of 57 years, Neil; and brother-in-law, Jim Brown.
Visitation will be at First Christian Church from 2:00 p.m. until 3:00 p.m. Thursday, November 10, 2022.
A memorial service will be conducted at 3:00 p.m. Thursday, November 10, 2022 at First Christian Church with the Reverend Michael Dunn officiating.
A webcast of Sandra’s service will begin at 3:00 p.m. Thursday that friends can view by going to First Christian Church's Facebook page.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions are suggested to First Christian Church, 327 East Capitol Ave., Jefferson City, Mo. 65101.
Funeral arrangements are under the care of Freeman Mortuary.