RUMFORD - Bernice F. Coffman, 97, a resident of Pinnacle Healthcare in Canton, passed away peacefully Tuesday, October 10, 2018. Bernice was born in Rumford on June 28, 1921, the daughter of the late Peter G. and Josephine (Dorion) Arsenault.
Bernice was a long time resident of Rumford, was educated in the Rumford school system and was a 1938 graduate of Stephens High school. In June of 1947 she successfully completed the flight stewardess training course and begin flying for American Airlines, which she flew for many years traveling abroad and stateside. She later returned to Rumford and began working as an administrative assistant at Beneficial Finance Company and then later at Zayre’s Department store in Rumford as the bookkeeper. In her later years she decided she wanted to travel and work for the Colony Hotel in the winters in Delray Beach, Florida and then return to Maine for summers at Kennebunkport’s Colony Hotel, and that is where she met President George W. Bush.
At the very young age of 89, she finally decided to retire from the Rumford library where she had worked for many years as their bookkeeper as well.
Bernice was a communicant of the Parish of the Holy Savior. She loved to play bingo and cribbage and attained the famous “29” hand which she was very proud of and received a plaque from the Eagles.
Bernice is survived by her two sons, Rex C. Coffman and wife Kathleen of Arlington, Washington, and Robert M. and his wife Arlene of Portland, ME; her special niece, Sue Breau of Rumford; her brother, Peter “Bugs” Arsenault and his wife Lorraine of Sarasota, Florida and many nieces and nephews.
Bernice was predeceased by her brothers, Walter and Vincent Arsenault and a sister, Barbara (Arsenault) Breau.
A Celebration of Life will be held at 12 noon Friday, October 19, at SG Thibault Funeral Home 250 Penobscot St. Rumford Maine. Interment will follow in St. John Cemetery
