Shirley Patricia Coleman

Pat was born August 13, 1926, to Karl Ivins Pace and Vonda Williams Pace in Salt Lake City, Utah. Raised as an only child for 13 years, she developed a close relationship with her father, whom she deeply admired, and her cousin Barbara, whom she thought of as a sister and companion for the rest of her life. Pat remembers her childhood as idyllic and fondly recalls sneaking onto the roof of her apartment building in the summer and sledding down South Temple in the winter when the family later moved to Haxton Place. Pat was thrilled when, at the age of 13, her baby brother, Karl Ivins Pace, Jr., was born. She loved being a big sister to Karl until the very end.

After graduating from East High School in 1943, Pat briefly attended the University of Utah. Then it was off to San Francisco with Barbara and friend Donna Seymore. Together they lived in an apartment, worked, and rode the trolley in search of fine dining and entertainment.

She married Richard Harris Coleman on December 24, 1951, while he was on leave from the Army in the Korean War. They soon moved to Oklahoma where Rick was stationed. There they met many new friends and had an active social life. When Rick had completed his military obligations, he was hired by General Motors and they moved to Twin Falls, Idaho. They again made new friends, having frequent get-togethers and playing lots of bridge. Soon their first child, Richard Jr., was born. Pat, missing her mother and wanting her help, persuaded Rick to move back to Salt Lake . They bought a home in Holladay, eventually having their second child, Cathy, and third, Colette.

Pat was a life-long member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and she was sealed to her husband and family in the Jordan River Temple. Her church meant a great deal to her, and she remained faithful to the end. She was not afraid of death, and was looking forward to the life to come.

For all of her adult life, Patsy was socially active and always interested in meeting and getting to know new people. Her friends and family will always remember her for her friendly smile and her sparkling blue eyes. She loved to go out to lunch with friends and to play 'Quiddler’ with her cousins. Her fondness for chocolate was well known.

Pat was frugal, but she loved to shop and had a unique flair for fashion. Her fashion statements usually included anything sparkly with a dash of animal print mixed in. She enjoyed hiking and, when her children were young, camping. She took good care of herself physically and walked regularly around the neighborhood.

To some, she may have seemed like a delicate rose, but she was more like a Steel Magnolia, resilient and strong-willed. She endured back pain for all her adult life. The only relief she had was when she laid down on her bed. She loved to read the newspaper and books until she lost her sight, then she adapted by listening to books on tape.

She is survived by her three children, Richard Jr. (Rosane), Cathy (Brooke) Thomas and Colette (Rick) Geis, her brother, Karl Ivins Pace, Jr. (Martha Klein), 9 grandchildren, 16 great-grandchildren and one great-great grand-daughter.

She is preceded in death by her husband, Richard Harris Coleman, her granddaughter, Courtney Coleman, her grand daughter-in-law, Becky Dillon Coleman, and her former daughter-in-law, Paula Hemingway Coleman.

For the past 15 years, Patsy has lived with her daughter, Cathy, who took care of her and during the final four years, she was taken care of by each of her children and daughter-in-law. The family is grateful to the Visiting Angels and the Valeo Hospice team, especially Angie and Mika, who lovingly cared for her during her final weeks.

A funeral will be held on Tuesday, September 22, 2020, at Germania Ward, 464 West Germania Avenue (5090 South) at 11:00 a.m., with a viewing from 9:30 – 10:45 a.m. All are welcome, but please wear a mask. An additional viewing will be held at Wasatch Lawn Memorial Park, 3401 South Highland Drive, on Monday, September 21, from 6:30 – 8:00 p.m.