Erin Kameron Coffey was born to parents Tom Kameron and Mary Alice McComb Kameron in Paloma, California on September 27, 1923. She returned to Conroe, Texas shortly after and enjoyed the majority of her childhood in Conroe and Houston, Texas. A bright and precocious child, she was beloved by family, friends and teachers. Her career ambition was to be a trapeze artist. "Anything elevating, you know" was the quote remembered in an article written about her. She was the eldest of five children, so when, at age 8, her mother passed away, she began a lifelong journey caring for her four siblings: Pat, Lulu, Tom Jr. (Sonny), and Cissie. They were unique in their devotion to one another and all inherited a strong Irish spirit from father Tom Kameron.
Erin Kathleen Shannon Kameron graduated from Lamar High School in Houston Texas in 1940. She then went to Stephens College until 1942. She entered the University of Texas Drama school at the age of 16. She graduated in 1944 and then went to Yale University for post graduate study with Constance Welch. In 1967 and 1968, she began using her dramatic skills in Psychodrama studying with the Moreno Workshops.
Her love for the theatre took her to New York City in 1944. There she met the love of her life Wade (C.W.) Coffey. They met and were married 3 months later at St. Bartholomew's Church in New York City. She continued to pursue her stage career, in New York and Summer Stock with the Interstate Players, a Texas professional stock company. This took her away from New York, and husband, so the stage career took a back seat to her role as a young wife. The young couple left New York to return to Texas when her youngest sibling Cissie graduated high school and came to live with them. Cissie was soon joined by Pat, and shortly after by Lulu who also brought two horses, her husband Tom Falvey, and baby Tommy.
Throughout her life in New York and later Austin then Houston, her siblings visited and lived together off and on. In 1956, her only child Laurie, was born in Houston Texas. This was a joyous time for the family, as all of her younger siblings had already begun their families and she was thrilled to bring a new life into the world. There were two constant themes. The first was unwavering belief in "success being just around the corner" for herself and those she loved. The second was the fun loving Irish spirit that called everyone who met her to enjoy life in a special way.
Both in Houston and then Austin, she was involved with community theatre. As a Zachary Scott Board Member, she started Children's Drama Classes. In 1967, she was presented Best Actress award. During this time, she was also working at the Austin State Hospital in the Children's and Adolescent Psychiatric Unit as a volunteer. In 1967, she was hired to be the Drama Therapist in the Adolescent Center for ASH until 1979. She then changed roles to become the Volunteer Coordinator for ASH until her retirement at age 62.
Erin Kameron Coffey was a joy to this world. Countless people have been blessed by her humor and Irish eyes which were "always smiling". She is survived by her daughter, Laura Wendlandt, her two grandchildren, David Wendlandt and Shannon Wendlandt Jensen and great grandaughters Marley and Leyna Jensen. She was a beloved mother, sister and great aunt to numerous nieces and nephews.
A memorial service is planned for Saturday, August 12th at 3:00 pm at Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran Church, 3525 Bee Caves Road, Austin, Texas 78746. Memorial donations may be made to Hospice Austin.
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