Obituary: Kathryn Coffin, 74, of Stony Creek

Obituary courtesy of W. S. Clancy Memorial Funeral Home:

Kathryn Coffin of Stony Creek, CT died peacefully at her home on May 16, 2021 after a brief illness. Kathy was born in Chicago on November 5, 1946, and grew up in Stony Creek, Connecticut.

Kathy was a free spirit and enjoyed an adventurous life. She was athletic in high school and a talented equestrian. After graduating from the University of Connecticut in Storrs in the late 1960’s, Kathy experienced Woodstock, traveled throughout the US, and backpacked through Europe. After returning to Connecticut to work for Child and Family Services, Kathy was involved in a car accident that left her paralyzed at age 25. Despite the challenges she faced, Kathy was unwaveringly positive and went on to live a full and independent life.

She returned to UConn to pursue graduate studies, earned an MA in Guidance Counseling and Personnel in 1977, and dedicated her professional life to helping others. Kathy served as the Assistant Director of the UConn Office for Students with Disabilities, later worked for United Cerebral Palsy, and for twenty years was employed as support staff in the City of Hartford Office of Persons with Disabilities, a division of the Human Relations Department. Kathy was a role model and mentor for newly disabled people with spinal cord injuries. An enthusiastic and successful advocate for advances in accessibility, Kathy also was a longstanding board member of the CT Coalition of Citizens with Disabilities. She had a passionate interest in politics, and proudly attended President Clinton’s inauguration in 1993.

In 2001, Kathy returned to Stony Creek, where she and her beloved dog, Yoda, quickly became familiar fixtures. Kathy’s indomitable spirit and courage were an inspiration to all who knew her. We will miss her quick wit and the twinkle in her eye.

Free spirit Kathy backpacked through Europe and was at Woodstock. Later, an advocate for the disabled, her "indomitable spirit and courage were an inspiration."

Along with many whose friendship she treasured, Kathy is survived by close family members including her sister Judy Titus November of Dennis, MA, cousins Linda Titus of Damariscotta, ME, and KC Titus (Sue) of San Diego, CA, niece Lisa Sjostrom of Norwich, VT, and Lisa’s son, Daniil Titus Sjostrom. Kathy was predeceased by her parents Ele Titus and Harry Titus, father George Coffin, and brother Russell (Rusty) Titus.