Mary Catherine Coffey

Mary Catherine Coffey, age 84, of St. Clair, died on October 1, 2016. She was born May 3, 1932 in Detroit, Michigan to the late Ezra and Agnes Hutchins. She attended Cooley High School in Detroit and received a Bachelor of Music Education degree from the University of Michigan in 1954. While there, she was the piano accompanist for all the university choirs and assisted in the direction of the opera department. She received the Stanley medal from the University for her distinguished work in music and was a member of Phi Beta Kappa. She received the National Leadership Award from the Sigma Alpha Iota Music Fraternity. She also was president of the student fellowship at the First Presbyterian Church of Ann Arbor. She married Robert R. Coffey on August, 21, 1954 in Ann Arbor, Michigan. The couple was married for 62 years. They first lived in Chicago, Illinois. Then they moved to Clinton, Iowa, where their daughter, Catherine Patrice, was born. The next stop was Brighton, Michigan. While there, their son, Thomas Robert, was born. In 1965 they moved to Detroit, and then to St. Clair in 1970. Mary was busy with her piano playing from the age of three, and continued teaching and playing in the several cities where she lived. She played pipe organs in several churches. While in St. Clair she gave two- piano concerts with Margaret Stone and was pianist for several productions of the St. Clair Theatre Guild. She also played for the St. Clair Rotary Club. In her later years she especially enjoyed working with young students in the East China School System and surrounding schools on a one-on-one basis for solo and ensemble festivals and college auditions. She played for several productions of the St. Clair High School Theatre Troupe and some productions in neighboring schools. In 2008 Mary was honored by St. Clair High School at the Honors Convocation by dedicating the convocation booklet to her as a person who has made a rich contribution to the community. Mary always strived to do her best as a daughter, wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother. The same went for all of her musical endeavors. She gave 100% every time. She is survived by her husband, Robert; a daughter, Catherine; a son, Thomas and daughter-in-law Pamela of North Ogden, Utah; a grandson, Brad and his wife Heather of Columbus Township; a granddaughter Christina of Bethesda, Maryland; and three great-grandchildren, Ryder, Kaydn, and Lilly. A special thank you to the people of Blue Water Hospice for their wonderful care of Mary. Mary’s family will receive friends Saturday October 15th from 1:00 to 5:00 p.m. at Young Funeral Home, China Twp. and Sunday October 16th from 2:00 to 3:00 p.m. at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, St. Clair with a memorial service at 3:00 p.m. There will be a dinner following in the church parish hall. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to St. Paul’s Episcopal Church of St. Clair, or the Blue Water Hospice.

Mary Catherine Coffey

May 3, 1932 - October 1, 2016