Marie Elaine Brehm Coffman, age 83, left this world far too soon on 16 February 2025, although her energy remains boundless and infuses many of us. She was curious ("nosy in the best way"), loved to travel and learn, and was deeply interested in anything that pertained to her loved ones. And, oh, to be one of her loved ones! There was no stronger advocate or fiercer defender than Marie Coffman. Marie raised her children and grandchildren to believe in themselves and their possibilities, and she offered unconditional love and non-stop support to family and friends near and far while cheering on every accomplishment. Her interior design style has always been maximalist – every space she occupied has been full of color and happy energy, tidy and organized tributes to her loved ones, with photos and mementos everywhere. She constantly amazed both her daughters with how clean things always were; she even loved to dust because it afforded her the opportunity to visit each object she curated and to think about those represented by them.

Marie was born in Cumberland, Maryland, on 3 August 1941, to Lawrence and Christina Brehm. She and her sister, Sandy, grew up on Broadway and South Streets in Cumberland, as well as along and within various rivers in the area, as their parents made sure they had a wide variety of skills. She graduated from Fort Hill High School in 1959 and worked as a secretary in a law firm in Cumberland. In 1962 she married her high school sweetheart, Francis "Frank" Hunter Coffman, and they, courtesy of the U.S. Navy, moved out to San Francisco, CA, for the first of many adventures. Their Naval base communities supported them and vice versa through good and bad times, the most significant of the latter being the death of their first child, David, who was born and died in Texas. Despite living in many different states, both of their daughters, Christa and Jennifer, were also born in Cumberland, and then they were raised along the east coast of the US. A creative sort who had multiple art projects underway at any given time, Marie also imparted many practical skills to her daughters, including a "can-do" attitude for anything from small engine to roof repair. Because of moving frequently as a Navy wife, Marie worked a variety of jobs, including at craft studios and youth centers (particularly important when her daughters reached the pre-teen years); retail with a long and happy run at Darlene Roberts' Good Scents in Charleston, SC; and more. After Frank passed unexpectedly, Marie moved in with Christa and husband Jan and worked at a pediatric dental office with Carol and Arlene French. When Jennifer and husband Fletcher had children, Marie moved to North Carolina where she worked at Weaver Street Market in Carrboro, NC, and doted on her grandchildren, Austen and Gabrielle, moving with them later to Virginia. Without doubt, her absolute favorite job was caring for her grandchildren and volunteering at their schools, where she deftly wielded her glue gun to bedazzle another generation. After Christa and Jan had their son, Hunter, Marie put thousands of miles on her car going back and forth between her children and grandchildren. Her love and admiration for her grandchildren is beyond measure.

After her own mother had passed away, Marie was frequently back in Cumberland visiting and eventually helping to care for her aging father. During one visit that included her 45th high school reunion, she ran into an old high school friend, Skip Gray, and returned to Virginia absolutely giddy about him. The two of them have been loving partners, puzzle solvers, and BBC mysteries afficionados ever since. We were all sure we would be celebrating each of their centennial birthdays together because of the vibrancy of each of them.

Marie is survived by her daughter, Christa Geib, Christa's husband Jan Geib and their son Hunter; daughter Jennifer Coffman, Jennifer's husband Fletcher Linder and their children Austen and Gabrielle, and Gabrielle's fiancée Jose Rodriguez; her loving partner Skip Gray, and Skip's children and grandchildren; her sister and confidante Sandy McCormick and Sandy's children Duane, Duane's wife Christina and their son Kevin, and Nicol, Nicol's son Alex and wife P.J., and Nicol's fiancée Joe Blackburne; cousin, friend, and fellow explorer Carol Lee Cioni; dear sister-in-law Laura Coffman and her children and grandchildren; countless friends and more distant and still very loved relatives.

Marie was preceded in death by her beloved husband of 31 years, Francis "Frank" Coffman, their son David Scott, her parents Lawrence and Christina Brehm, her brothers-in-law John McCormick and Charlie Coffman, and a long lineage of forebears who made her DNA the magic it is.

All who knew and loved Marie are invited to join the family for a celebration of life on Saturday, 22 February, at the Cumberland Country Club (10200 Country Club Road, Cumberland, MD 21502), any time from 12-3 PM – there will be a lunch and tribute. The family will make brief remarks at 1 PM and welcomes anyone else to do so, as well.

A generous soul and person who successfully overcame breast cancer in her 60s, Marie would appreciate paying it forward via memorial donations in her name made to your preferred charity.