Christine "Chris" Elisabeth Coffey

In dignity and peace, Chris entered eternal life surrounded at home in San Diego by her husband and children, always to be remembered lovingly as wife, mother, and grandmother. Chris leaves behind her husband of 52 years Tom, her daughter Brenna Wood with her husband Morgan and their two children Cormac and Ruby also in San Diego, and her son Joe with his wife Tarly and their five children Penny, Cedric, Macie, Violet, and Ginger in Tracy, California. She is also survived by her life-long friend and sister Joanne Rehkopf with her husband Larry of Normandy Park, Washington. Many cousins, nieces, nephews, family and friends will also remember her fondly for her friendships and devotion to family.

Christine was born to Chris Thaanum and Irene Lund of West Seattle who were from Western Washington pioneering parents. During her life, Chris developed many talents and had a wide range of interests. Her father was an avid outdoorsman and would sometimes invite his two girls along on fishing trips. Chris also inherited her mother’s appreciation for the beauty of flowers and fine entertaining.

Early in life Chris demonstrated exceptional abilities. In Junior High School she was one of 75 students from 15 Seattle schools who were to act as a one-day management team at a large Seattle department store. Her role that day was store president. Chris graduated from West Seattle High School and attended Whitman College. She was president of her sorority pledge class and joined Alpha Phi, took an active role in Panhellenic events, and was twice a candidate for Sweetheart of Sigma Chi.

Tom fell head over heels for her when they met in a night class for bankers when he was struck by her classic beauty and vibrant personality. They soon began a lifelong love affair, an exciting journey together which included bearing and raising their two wonderful children. While preparing for motherhood she served as a volunteer in the Mercer Island Pre-School Association. She continued to pursue other Church and Social activities, forming many friendships with other mothers. She led the family along a path of exploring life’s exciting offerings from children's activities to school events, to Scouts and Brownies, birthday parties, and fun family excursions including her favorite – trips to the beach!

As a wife and partner of Tom she supported his participation and joined him in many festive community gatherings and business events. Though his career path took the young family to California, with cheerful enthusiasm Chris dove into forming new relationships with other families and found many new opportunities for our family to experience the California lifestyle.

As a youth she had volunteered as a counselor during summers in Bible Camp. She knew and loved the Scriptures and on a deeply personal level was guided often throughout her life by the many passages and uplifting thoughts she jotted down when inspiration struck. She also found enjoyment in seeking out and collecting antiques with friends, even working part time in several antique shops to sharpen her knowledge and keep a critical eye on trends in the field.

These memories and many more are but a small part of her legacy of love and devotion to family which will continue to serve as an inspiration for them as her light and love remains in our hearts. She is being memorialized in the Memory Glen of Evergreen Washelli Cemetery of Seattle to be joined there eventually and forever by her loving husband.