Dr. Roslyn Bayha Coleman

Inveterate advocate and creative visionary, Dr. Roslyn “Roz” Bayha Coleman was a woman of great energy and endless ideas, launching many ambitious projects brought to fruition for the benefit of the communities and people she loved.

Born in Kansas City, MO, on April 11, 1936, and raised in Liberty, MO, Roz was doted on as the only child in a multi-generational household during the Depression. After graduating from Baker University, KS and marrying her college sweetheart, the Rev. Dr. William C. Coleman (“Bill”), the couple moved East to Ludlow and South Hadley, MA. Despite her self-acknowledged inability to spell, Roz first worked as an English teacher until the birth of her first daughter. After moving to Wellesley, she worked in the Wellesley public schools—first as a guidance counselor and adjustment counselor and later, as a School Psychologist. While there, she was known for her intrepid advocacy for students and a genuine desire to see kids thrive, sometimes hosting wayward teens in her own home for months on end.

She earned her doctorate from Boston University in 1980, while raising three children and working full time. She was an active leader in the Massachusetts School Psychologist Association for many years, receiving the School Psychologist of the Year award in 1996.

Roz and Bill bought their home in Chatham in 1966 and promptly began a series of DIY building projects under Roz’s architectural direction, eventually tripling the size to make room for their own parents and a growing family. Roz and Bill moved to Chatham full time after retiring in 1997.

Roz is best known for her deep dives into her many community projects, chief among them, the establishment of Chatham Marconi Maritime Center (CMMC). As CMMC’s Founding President, she worked unstintingly to develop the organization, rehabilitate the buildings and uncover its history as one of Guglielmo Marconi’s original sites from which he developed marine wireless communication. Working with others, her efforts led to the site’s inclusion on the National Register of Historic Places and the establishment of a working museum, a meeting place for the community and programs to educate and support youth and adults.

Roz served on the Chatham Finance Committee for 18 years and was a strong advocate for schools and other public services. Considering it “a great catbird seat from which to see what makes Chatham tick,” she used that position to advance a number of important initiatives. She also served for three years on the Cable Advisory Committee.

A reluctant first mate on board their 22’ Marshall Cat, Grayling, Roz (and Bill) enjoyed exploring the Cape and the Islands, always returning home with a string of harrowing tales. She also loved watching sailboat races—frequently mixing up starboard and port—but nevertheless cheering on her daughters and granddaughters as they raced at Chatham Yacht Club and across the county.

She believed that every kid on the lower Cape should get the chance to sail. An enthusiastic brainstormer and doer, she was instrumental in launching and nurturing Pleasant Bay Community Boating, helping to usher PBCB from its humble beginnings on the beach to its current 3.1-acre home on Pleasant Bay.

Predeceased by her husband of 65 years, Rev. Dr. William C. Coleman, and son, Stephen Coleman, she is survived by her daughters, Allison Coleman (Lisa Bosley) and Natalie Coleman-Fuller (Rob Fuller); granddaughters Sarah Fuller, Julia Wilde (Christian Wilde) and Ellen Fuller; and great-granddaughter Medora Wilde.

Roz died peacefully at home with her family by her side on June 14, 2026, at the age of 90 after a two-year decline and a brief illness.

A celebration of her life will be held on August 15, 2026, 3:00 pm at the Chatham United Methodist Church, with a reception following at Chatham Marconi Maritime Center. In lieu of flowers, contributions in Roz’s memory may be made to Chatham Marconi Maritime Center or Pleasant Bay Community Boating.