Marilyn Jo Coffee

Marilyn Jo Coffee, 81, of Missoula, passed away Sept. 10, 2015, at The Springs care facility in Missoula following a long battle with Alzheimer's disease.

The celebration of her life will be held in July 2016, date to be determined, at the First Presbyterian Church, located at 301 Fourth Ave. E. in Polson.

Marilyn was born in Denver on Dec. 8, 1933, to Clayton and Audrey Shuman.

Marilyn married her soul mate and the love of her life, the late William "Bill" Coffee on Jan. 19, 1962. Together they raised four children. Marilyn's children, grandchildren and great grandchildren were the light of her life and she devoted her entire life to the love and well-being of her family. Bill and Marilyn lived in Missoula until the children were grown, at which time they moved to their much-loved Flathead Lake area and resided there until 2013.

Marilyn received a bachelor's degree from Philips University in Enid, Oklahoma, in 1955. She pursued a second degree from the University of Montana, graduating with honors in 1983 with a bachelor of arts and a minor in music. She was actively involved in the Montana State Music Teachers Association and was a Nationally Certified Teacher of Music. She was a gifted pianist a well as a talented accompanist and piano teacher. She shared her passion and love of music by devoting herself to teaching piano in Missoula and Polson for more than 25 years. She loved the sound of hand bells and organized bell choirs at both the University Congregational Church in Missoula and the First Presbyterian Church in Polson, where she directed and rang with the choirs.

Marilyn was actively involved with the Missoula Symphony and served on the Missoula Symphony Associate Board of Directors during the late 1960s to the early 1970s, as secretary from 1969-1970 and president in 1972. Additionally, she served as president of the Missoula Symphony Guild in 1968, and assisted in initiating the program that continues to provide scholarships to outstanding University of Montana music students who play in the Missoula Symphony Orchestra or sing in the Missoula Symphony Chorale.

Marilyn believed in giving back to her community and her church. She was a deacon at First Presbyterian Church in Polson for many years and a dedicated member of the Philanthropic Educational Organization (P.E.O.) in Missoula and Polson. She volunteered much of her time to leading blue bird troops, reading with elementary school children, volunteering in the St. Joseph's Hospital gift shop as well as the Country Store in Polson.

Marilyn is survived by her children, Melinda Peters of Littleton, Colorad, Deloit Wolfe Jr. of Monroe, Washington, Stephanie Schad of Burlington, Connecticut, and Trish Kirschten of Missoula; sister, Lynette Unruh of Parker, Colorado; six grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the Missoula Symphony Orchestra at 320 E. Main St., Missoula, MT 59802; or online at missoulasymphony.org/Support_Us.aspx.

Marilyn will be greatly missed by all who knew and loved her.
Read Marilyn Coffee's Obituary and Guestbook on www.missoulafuneralhomes.com.