Phyllis Coffin

Phyllis Berry Coffin died peacefully in her home in Glastonbury, CT, on Saturday August 29, 2015, at the age of 91. She was born September 28, 1923, in Ashland Maine to the late Arthur E. Berry and Verna (Bradstreet) Berry. Phyllis grew up on the family farm in Northern Maine, and married Wendell Farrar Coffin in 1942. They were married for 71 years - Wendell passed away in 2014 at age 96. Phyllis loved animals and enjoyed art, literature and writing poetry while raising five children. Her first child Benny was born in 1946 with Down Syndrome. Wendell and Phyllis chose to raise him at home with the family. The prevailing ‘wisdom’ of the time was to institutionalize children with Down, but their hearts knew what was best, and Benny was an amazing person, loved and treasured by the entire family.

Phyllis is survived by a daughter Carole Shea and husband Dick of Marlborough, and sons Wendell A. Coffin of Colchester, Bradford Coffin and wife Lori of Colchester, Richard Coffin of Amston, and grandchildren, Mallory, Jared, Jason and Kristina Coffin, and Richard and Kristin Shea. Phyllis leaves sisters Grace Swett and Marilyn Weiss, brothers Merle, Jon and Paul Berry, and many nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her son Benny, brothers Winston and Arthur Berry, and sisters Minnie Croxford and Connie Bolstridge.

Burial will be private and at the convenience of the family. The family would like to recognize the kindness shown Phyllis by her caregiver Mzia Shvelidze, and the Hartford HealthCare at Home Hospice Team. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to: Windsor Independent Living Association, 45 Maple Ave., Windsor, CT, 06095. To leave an online condolence, or visit Phyllis’s tribute, please visit www.glastonburyfuneral.com