Marilyn J. Coleman

 Marilyn Joan Coleman was a graceful angel who blessed us with her presence here on earth. She was loved and appreciated by all and passed away peacefully February 19, 2025, on Hilton Head Island at the wonderful age of 92. 

Marilyn was born in Altoona, PA in 1932 to Angela and Edward Peiffer. She spent her childhood in Huntington and West Chester, PA where she graduated from St. Agnes High School. Marilyn went onto Georgetown University School of Nursing where she graduated in 1953 as a registered nurse (RN). It was there she met her husband of 60 years John Coleman, who was a student at Georgetown School of Foreign Service. They married in November of 1953. 

Over the years, they moved several times from Stratford, CT, to Charlotte, NC, to Meriden, CT, to South Bend, IN. Then in 1979, they established roots on Hilton Head Island, SC, where she has lived for 45 years. 

As the children got older, Marilyn worked part time as a nurse. After moving to Hilton Head, she worked at the hospital, an alcohol treatment center and private duty nursing. She was also a school nurse at Hilton Head Elementary. 

Volunteer work was an essential part of Marilyn's life of unselfish giving. She was one of the early members of Hospice of the Lowcountry where she initially served on the Board of Directors. Then her passion led her to 30 years of service with patients for hospice. Marilyn also gave her time to Volunteers in Medicine (VIM) for 20 years, overlapping with hospice. She was a parishioner at St. Francis by the Sea Catholic Church since their inception in 1988, serving as a Stephen Minister since 1997, and an active member of the Woman of St. Francis since 2004.

Marilyn enjoyed activities with her children. She became a Brownie leader where they made crafts. She was also an accomplished seamstress, where she enjoyed making outfits for her three daughters. 

As Marilyn’s three sons were growing up, she attended their sporting events which included hockey, soccer, football and Boy Scouts. 

Marilyn’s surviving relatives are her daughters, Mara, Karen, Martha; sons, John and Stephen; her grandchildren Jullian, Kristin, Sagitta, Caroline and Davis; and her great grandchildren Eli and Niko. She is also survived by her dear aunt/sister Patty Marks and sisters-in-law Carol Podolsky and Donetta Peiffer. She was predeceased by her parents, husband John, son Kevin, and brother Lowell Peiffer. 

Marilyn’s precious life will be celebrated with a Mass of Christian Burial on Monday, March 10th at 10 am at St. Francis by the Sea Catholic Church. A reception will follow the inurnment in the Family Center. All are invited! 

Marilyn was a kind, loving and compassionate mother and friend to all and will be dearly missed.