Helen Ruth Smith Newman Coffin

Helen Ruth Smith Newman Coffin

Helen Ruth, 94, passed peacefully at Grand Traverse Pavilions in Traverse City, MI. Her children, Dr. Raleigh (Nancy) Newman of Traverse City, MI and Peg Newman, Houston, TX, survive her with 2 grandchildren, Emily (James) Newman Springstead of Mattawan, MI, and John (Kristin) Newman of Orem, UT, 2 great grandchildren, Raleigh, J.C. and two due early 2015.

She spent her youth in Midland, Michigan graduating from Midland High School in 1938 and holding a B.S. degree in Home Economics from Michigan State University. She married John Clark Newman, another Midlander in 1941. He predeceased her in 1961. She remarried in 1968 to James Corwin Coffin. His retirement from Dow led the couple to Fort Collins, Colorado. They enjoyed traveling and exploring Native American culture in the Southwestern US. Self-taught, they created upright looms together and learned to weave rugs in the Navajo tradition, eventually writing a "how to" book and teaching classes.
Helen Ruth was an accomplished seamstress who loved to sew, embroider, needlepoint and quilt. In later years, she enjoyed doing alterations for caregivers and family. A private memorial was held after cremation.

Remembrances can be addressed at www.reynolds-jonkhoff.com . Her charity of choice is the Chippewa Nature Center in Midland, Michigan. The family is being served by the Reynolds-Jonkhoff Funeral Home.