Marilyn A Coffey

Marilyn A Coffey, 82, of Woodland Pond, formerly of St. Remy, passed peacefully Tuesday afternoon, August 16th at Woodland Ponds surrounded by her loving family. She was born in Brooklyn on April 3rd, 1934 and attended Brooklyn College, and moved to the Town of Esopus in 1959 with her family.


Her contributions to the Town of Esopus have been many and varied, always thinking of others and trying to do the best for everyone. In 1959 when she enrolled in the Democratic Party and became junior committeeman, at that time she also joined the Democratic Club. In 1960 she was elected Democratic committeeman in district 4, 1962 Treasurer of the Democratic Club, 1970 she was elected Democratic committeeman for district 4 & 7, 1971 she served as secretary to the Zoning board of Appeals, from 1972 - 1975 she was secretary to the supervisor and town bookkeeper, from 1976 - 1981 she served as town clerk, in 1982 she was elected as the 1st Women Supervisor, and served until 1987. During that time, she was co-founder of the Ulster County Supervisors Association. After serving as Town Supervisor, she worked for the DEC and then the Ulster County Board of Elections until her retirement in 1998. She continued to serve on the Planning Board and in 1995 served as Chairman.


In addition to town government, Marilyn had been a tireless worker and volunteer, having been active in many other worthy community organizations, including Friends of the Town of Esopus Library, Town of Esopus Senior Citizens Group, K.E.H.S. and Presentation and Sacred Heart Church. When recently asked what her proudest accomplishment was, she replied, "The management of many successful political campaigns and the almost unbroken string of Democratic Supervisors and Town Clerks, but most of all, my incredible family, children, grandchildren, a great grandson and many many dear friends"


Marilyn was the daughter of the late Thomas and Edith Clark, and the wife of the late Harold Coffey.


She is survived by her dear children, Lenore Modugno and her husband Felix, Steven Coffey and his wife Carol Gallagher, Laura Coffey and her husband Bill McCain, her adoring grandchildren Max and Sophia Modugno, Ligeia and Christopher Garland, Shannon and Logan Coffey, Sean Cynamon and great grandson Dylan Garland.


Marilyn was beloved by all that knew her and will be dearly missed. The family would like to extend their deepest gratitude to all the staff at Woodland Pond for their wonderful and loving care.



The Memorial service will be Sunday, August 21st at Woodland Pond at New Paltz, 100 Woodland Pond Circle, New Paltz, NY at 3 pm.


The family suggests in lieu of flowers, memorial contributions to the charity of your choice.


Arrangements entrusted to the care of the Keyser Funeral & Cremation Service, Inc., 216 Broadway, Port Ewen, NY