NORWICH – Frederica “Freddie” Mae Coffey, 78, lost her battle to brain cancer on Nov. 7, 2009. In her home away from home Brighton Gardens in Columbia, Md.
Freddie was born in Cincinnatus on Sept. 13, 1931 to Floyd Torrey and Sarah Wood Torrey. In Cincinnatus, Freddie was a feisty cheerleader, member of her prom court and, as she loved to tell her grandkids, she graduated 3rd in her class of 1949.
After graduation she moved to Cortland, where she became a telephone operator for, as she would say, Ma Bell. During this time she met the love of her life, Raymond Joseph Coffey, and they married Jan. 23, 1954. Her son Raymond Thomas and daughter Lisa Ann joined the family.
Active for years in school activities her kids dragged her into, and a long time member of the friends for the Norwich library. She and Ray spent many happy evenings dancing at the country club, the VFW and pretty much anyplace or anytime they could find to dance.
She also found herself busy working for Brown Law offices, from which she retired.
In 1997, she began splitting her home life between Norwich and Jessup Md., where she moved to live with her daughter, son-in-law and grandkids. The move became permanent after it was discovered she had pretty much moved everything from her house into theirs.
Freddie’s greatest joys came from trips to the ocean, Disney World, and pretty much everything she did with her grandkids. The New York Yankees held a special spot in her heart so many trips to watch them play made her very happy – if they won, that is.
The most feisty, out-spoken, spirited, loving wife, mother, sister, aunt and grandma the world will ever know. She will be forever missed by the ones she left behind:
Her son Raymond T. Coffey and his wife Shelly Coffey of Tennessee; Her daughter Lisa Ann Dolan and her husband Michael K. Dolan of Maryland.
Granddaughters Vanestia Jennings (her husband John) and Chandell Coffey (and partner Matt Arbogast) all of Tennessee; Torrey E. Dolan, and Taylor C. Dolan of Maryland. Grandson Michael R. Dolan of Maryland. Great Grand Babies Ava Jennings and Gavin Arbogast.
Her sisters Doris Randall, Ruth Baker (her husband Ralph) and Barbara Armstrong (her husband Tracy); Sisters-in-law Marilyn Coffey and Irene Schuster. Several nieces, nephews, great nieces and great nephews. So many to love, so many to list.
Freddie will be meeting up again with those who went on ahead, her beloved husband Raymond J. Coffey, her brother Malcolm Torrey, her sister Marjorie, her mother Sarah and father Floyd. As well as many more dear family members who have left us too soon. Her many cats and dogs as well. Especially her cat Missy.
A grave side memorial will be held in the spring in Norwich.
Contributions can be made in her name to the American Cancer Society for brain cancer research.
To live, to love, to dance, to sing, to you mom do it all in heaven!