Mary Elizabeth Coley

Mary Elizabeth Coley passed away at the age of 80 in Oceanside, California. Mary was born to Willis and Ruth Gagnon in 1934 in San Diego, California. She is survived by her husband TC Coley Sr., daughter Candise Flippin, son TC Coley Jr, grand daughter Jennifer LaFleur, and great grand daughters, Aubree and Laela.

After completing studies in Aircraft Construction and Assembly her studies included instruction in shop mathematics, aircraft metals, drilling and riveting, she worked at Convair as an electrical and radio assembler. This is where she met T.C. Mary was an entrepreneur extraordinaire. Mary was a seamstress and made jeans for Levi, she became a hairdresser and owned her own salon. She was a Real estate broker, retail business owner in Seaport Village, The Southpaw Shoppe from 1978 to 2006 and the Magic Shop from 1988 to 2006. She became a great magician to make the Magic Shop the most successful of its kind.

Mary’s hobbies included creative things like china painting, sewing and creating the perfect Christmas, she also enjoyed trips to Hawaii and reading non-fiction and history. She was fond of the Pandas and breeding program at the San Diego Zoo.

A family anecdote from Candy: A few years ago we did the Mother’s Day Sleepover at the San Diego Zoo. Since we never camped out when I was a child, I was concerned about her sleeping in a tent and sleeping bag. I would wake up every time she moved and ask if she was ok, In the morning she told me she used to camp out with her Dad all the time. We laughed and enjoyed the mimosas. Once she came to San Francisco for a buying trip and the two of us went to Les Miserables and Beach Blanket Babylon. I had so much fun laughing with her.

A fond memory from Candise: Their mother daughter lunches and outings. Also, the time she ran out of the house dressed as a ghost.

Being a child during WWII shaped her thoughts and her beliefs included Catholic, French and mid-western roots.

Mary’s philosophies of life: honesty, hard work and loyalty, and calculated risk taker.