Marilyn Josephine Coleman

East Lyme - Marilyn Josephine Coleman, known to most as “Jo”, was born Nov. 27, 1932, to Gust and Cecil Alvena (Boyle) Sternquist. She and her two older sisters, Adelaide and Dorothy, were raised by their parents in Beaver Falls, Pa. She described her father as a hard-working steel worker and her mother as a strong woman with limited sight and hearing due to a childhood illness. She liked to share stories of her childhood, a simpler time when material items and technology were limited, but having fun was not.

Jo played the flute in the band as a teen, and met Earl Coleman, a fellow flutist, who would become her husband Nov. 26, 1954. Earl was an Engineer, and his work led to several moves for them; Ohio, Virginia, where they adopted their son Dan, and Missouri where they adopted their daughter Laura. They took up residence in East Lyme where Jo and Earl would raise their two children.

Jo enjoyed bowling, playing her organ, and sewing for many years. She also loved watching the UConn women’s basketball games and most other sports games including the Pittsburg Steelers. Jo was employed at First National Bank for a period, which led to a position with the Treasurer at the East Lyme Town Hall where she was happily employed for the next 30 years until her retirement. Her friends at the Town Hall became like family. She was known there for her sense of humor-and her Texas sheet cake-which was a frequent flier at special events. Her retirement included part-time employment with a local physician, and many years keeping up with her grandchildren’s activities/sports.

She passed away peacefully in her home with her family beside her Sunday, March 22, 2026. She is predeceased by her husband Earl Coleman 1995; her sisters, Dorothy Glass and Adelaide Burry; and nephew Ronald Burry. She is survived by her children, Dan Coleman ( Dawn), and Laura Speller (William “Duke”); her grandchildren, David Coleman (Amanda), Korey, Chase, Noah, Brooke, and Quinn Speller; and great-grandchildren, Hailey and Dylan Coleman, Kruz, Beckam, and Karson Speller; as well as her beloved nephews and their wives, great and great-great nieces and nephews.

She will be deeply missed by all.

In lieu of flowers please consider donating to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital or your local Hospice Association.

A Calling Hour will be held from 3 until 4 p.m. Saturday, March 28, 2026, with a service to follow at 4 p.m. in Fulton-Theroux Funeral Home, 13 Lake Ave., Niantic.