Obituary of Barbara Coe

Barbara Malone Coe, age 93, of the Black Rock section of Bridgeport, beloved wife of the late Edwin Coe, passed away peacefully on February 18, 2020 at home with her daughter holding her hand. Born in Bridgeport on August 23, 1926 to the late William and Mary Maraffi Malone, Barbara had been a lifelong Black Rock resident. Barbara attended St. Ann’s School, Bassick High School, Upsala College, and earned her Masters of Education from the University of Bridgeport. At her first job at the telephone company, Barbara met Doris Coe, who would introduce Barbara to her brother, Edwin, who became the love of her life. She was a beloved teacher at St. Ann’s School and The Unquowa School, and later was an administrative assistant at the University of Bridgeport and Fairfield University. Having musical talent that flowed from her bandleader parents, Barbara played the fife in the St. Ann Drum Corp, sang in the choir at Upsala College, and was a member, and then later, the director of the St. Ann’s Church Choir. Barbara was an avid reader, New York Times crossword puzzle doer, a wonderful cook, and loved her time on the beaches of Cape Cod and Westerly, RI. She took a children’s writing class where she met many great friends and had her first story, “One of My Best Friends”, published in the popular magazine, Highlights for Children. A loving wife, mother, grandmother, friend, and neighbor, Barbara had an easy smile and warmth that let others know she really saw and heard them in the best possible light, a gift worth more than gold. Her memory will be lovingly remembered by her three children, David Coe, and his wife, Staci, Nancy Spray, and her husband, Scott, and Mary Coe; three adored grandchildren, Andrea Spray and Zac and Dylan Coe. In addition to her beloved husband, Edwin, and her parents, Barbara was predeceased by a sister, Sister Nancy Malone, O.S.U. Funeral services will be held on Monday, February 24, 2020 at 12:00 Noon at St. Ann Church, 481 Brewster Street, Black Rock. Interment will follow at Lawncroft Cemetery, Fairfield. Friends may greet the family on Monday morning from 10:00-11:30 a.m. in the Lesko & Polke Funeral Home, 1209 Post Road, in Fairfield Center. Her family would like to acknowledge with great appreciation Barbara's caregivers, Gina, Maverley, and Shonda. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Sisters Retirement Fund, Attn: Sister Jane Finnerty, Ursuline Province Center, 1338 North Avenue, New Rochelle, NY 10804. For travel directions or to sign her guest register, please visit www.LeskoPolkeFuneralHome.com