Born June 30, 1922 in Drakesboro, Kentucky, she was the daughter of the late Adrian Griffith Back, Sr., D.D.S. and the late Ida Ursa Funk Back.
Mrs. Coleman was the Valedictorian of her class at Hodgenville High School when she graduated in 1938 and then graduated from the University of Louisville in 1942 and was on active duty with the Women’s Army Corp at Dugway Proving Grounds, Utah from 1944 to 1945 where she met her future husband Walter. She attained the rank of Staff Sergeant in the Chemical Warfare Service.
Mrs. Coleman and her family moved to Stamford, Connecticut in 1956. She was a certified brailler who for many years transcribed books for blind school children. From 1963 until 1967 and from 1970 until 1972 she assisted in the chemistry laboratory of the University of Connecticut branch in North Stamford. Mrs. Coleman was elected to the Stamford Public Schools Board of Education in 1967 and served until 1970. From 1972 until 1985 she owned and operated Needlework Corner in North Stamford.
Mrs. Coleman was a talented needle worker, knitter, weaver, seamstress and gardener, loved to read and do crossword and Sudoku puzzles, raised Golden Retrievers, constructed rock walls and loved to travel all over the world. In 1997 she began taking private pilot lessons and had her first solo flight in 1998.
Mrs. Coleman is survived by a daughter, Janet E. Carter of Durham, NC, a son, Martin R. Coleman, M.D. (Vicki) of Poquoson, VA, a daughter, Mollie D. Romanello of Ashland, MA, a son, Herman D. Coleman, M.D. (Elizabeth) of Waterford, CT, one brother. A.G. Back of Hodgenville, KY; nine grandchildren, Jennifer L. Kennedy (Craig Barber) of Cary, NC, Jarrod C. Walker (Dana) of Durham, NC, Christopher Coleman, M.D. (Rachael) of Bend, OR, David Coleman of Austin, TX, Kevin Coleman of Richmond, VA, Page L. Coleman of New York, NY, Hannah Coleman of Gainesville, FL, William Zachary Coleman of Waterford, CT and Amy K. Romanello of Berlin, Germany, eight great grandchildren, Megan S. Gold (Carmi) of Baltimore, MD, Emily B. L. Kennedy of Phoenixville, PA, Erin D. Kennedy of Cary, NC, Shannon L. Kennedy of Winchester, VA, Joseph and Elijah and Abigail Walker of Durham, NC and Maxwell E.P. Coleman of Bend, OR; two great great grandchildren Gideon Z. and Minerva R. Gold of Baltimore, MD and various nieces, nephews and cousins.
She was predeceased by her husband and travel companion of 47 years, Walter E. Coleman.
Funeral arrangements are being handled by Leo P. Gallagher & Son of Stamford, Connecticut. A memorial gathering for Ursa will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to American Heart Association, Gift Processing Center, P.O. Box 78851, Phoenix, AZ 85062-8851.
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