Heidi Anne Coe

Heidi Anne Coe, 43, unexpectedly and peacefully went to her Lord on July 16, 2013. She was born in Grand Rapids, Michigan, the daughter of Charlie and Marty and sister of Lincoln. Heidi loved people and loved God. Born with cerebral palsy (CP), she could not read, write, or drive and had a speech impediment but never let her disability impede her. Diagnosed serendipitously at three months, she was the first baby with CP to receive therapy in the state of Michigan. At the age of two, she happily and proudly rode a bus to her school for children with disabilities.

She graduated from Cathedral School in Raleigh where her mom served as her secretary and Leslie Smith helped her with science courses. Heidi was ever so thankful throughout her life to Recording for the Blind and Talking Books that put her texts on tape and supplied her with voluminous reading material. Moving to Cardinal Gibbons High School, Mrs. Joan Tolley, the mother of a fellow student, helped Heidi with math and administered her tests. Marty helped with the rest of the courses.

With great grit, Heidi took 16 hours to finish the SATs. She entered NC State, where she majored in social work. She has been a devoted Wolfpacker ever since. At NC State, Mary Rose Raefer, administered her tests and became her great friend and mentor. Some texts had over 30 tapes. Marty and Charlie could never figure out how Heidi could keep track of where she was, not being able to read. Then at her prime physically, she could swim a mile in a stroke she invented and independently lived in a dorm at State. She would walk her groceries from Cameron Village to her dorm room in a cart that the store let her use.

Unfortunately, she was then diagnosed with bipolar disease. Medicines caused her to gain weight. Upon graduation from NCSU, not able to find a full-time job, she volunteered faithfully for 10 years at the Ruth Sheets Adult Day Care Center at Edenton Methodist Church, which serves those with dementia and Alzheimer’s. Always current on daily and world events, Heidi would talk with the folks, who became dear friends as did staff members Judy Schott, Joe Bukowski and Sarah McGuire.

Heidi also served on the United Cerebral Palsy Board and for many years on the Handicapped Encounter Christ (HEC) Board. HEC pairs the disabled and able bodied to grow in their love of God and of each other. Heidi was the most deserving recipient of the Dick Stubbing Award for service to HEC.

Heidi never met a stranger and was not the slightest self-conscious about her speech impediment. Over her life, she faced and overcame many physical challenges. She had 11 surgeries, three of which were life threatening. In her final years, she became less mobile, mostly confined to her room. Yet she and her mom undauntedly never stopped looking for the best therapy available. Heidi lovingly called her mom her best friend and “the best mom in momdom.” In her room, she maintained myriad friendships by phone. Mysteriously, she could keep the birthday and anniversary dates of her friends and family in her head, unfailingly sending them a card or gift. An ardent prayer, she stormed the gates for those in need and vigorously spoke for the underdog. No matter how bad her pain, she insisted on going to Sunday Mass. If her parents could not take her, she would find a ride.

We wish to thank Bettye Leach and Mavis Weldon, her caregivers over many years as well as the many gifted doctors, physician assistants, nurses, physical therapists and office staff who worked so hard to keep Heidi healthy.

She fought the good fight and used her gifts to the fullest. She will be dearly missed.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to Handicapped Encounter Christ, P.O. Box 14213, Durham NC 27713 or to Ruth Sheets Adult Day Care Center, 228 W. Edenton St., Raleigh 27603.

Visitation will be held Thursday, July 25 from 6-8 p.m. at Brown-Wynne Funeral Home, 300 St. Mary’s St., Raleigh. A Mass of Christian burial will be offered Friday July 26 at 10 a.m. at Sacred Heart Cathedral, 219 West Edenton St., Raleigh.There will be parking at Sacred Heart Cathedral in the lot behind the church and also in the City Hall parking lot one block south.