Helen Coker
Helen Coker
Helen Coker

Obituary of Helen N. Coker

    

     Helen N. Coker was a beloved great grandmother, grandmother, mother, and wife during her incredible 95 years of life. She gave so much of her life to her children, family and friends.  She passed away peacefully in the early hours on Mother’s Day, Sunday, May 14, 2023. 

Helen had a long and full life. She was born on July 13, 1927, in Dobbs Ferry, New York, to two loving parents, Clifton I. and Helen B. Jamison. Her father was a realtor and her mother was a homemaker. Helen had two siblings; older brother Clifton C. and younger sister Carol A.  Helen was raised in Dobbs Ferry and graduated from Dobbs Ferry High School in 1945.  After high school, she enjoyed taking the train into New York City where she worked at National City Bank of New York.

     She later moved to Grand Rapids, Michigan where she worked at Grand Rapids Bank and married Walter Wegrzynowski (now Wegryn) on September 22, 1949.  They moved to East Lansing, Michigan where she continued her banking career at Bank of Lansing and they had a daughter, Judith Ann, born in 1952.  In 1953, they moved to Caldwell, Idaho so Walter could work as a forester. There they had a son, Mark Jay, born in 1955.  Helen worked at the Bob Nichols Oil Company for many years while raising her family.  Walter passed away unexpectedly while working in Idaho City in September 1957.

     Helen then met James Y. Coker and were married on July 20, 1958.  James adopted Judy and Mark and were joined by a sister, Pamela Sue in July 1959.  After the children were all in school, Helen went to work part-time and later full-time for Dr. Clay E Wilcox DDS and remained for 15 years.  She knew everyone by name and would often greet them as their paths crossed outside the office.   

     When the nest was empty, James and Helen became snowbirds for the next 21 years.  They enjoyed their mountain home in Garden Valley, Idaho, where you could find them golfing practically every day at Terrace Lakes Resort.  Helen was an active member of the Ladies Golf Association and enjoyed playing in tournaments and spearheading play dates with her many golfing buddies.  They enjoyed their desert home in Borrego Springs, California, where Helen enjoyed performing in tap dancing recitals, organizing church socials, and singing in the choir.  They attended the Borrego Springs Methodist Church and were blessed with many lifetime friends.  She worked part-time with Dr. Gordon Wimer and also Coldwell Bank Realty. She participated in many community activities, such as dressing up and walking in the holiday parades.  They sold their desert home and stopped traveling when James was diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease.  They enjoyed their mountain home for several more years until he passed away in March 2002.

     For the last 23 years, Helen loved spending time with friends and loved ones while living in Goldcrest Estates, a senior-gated community in Nampa.  She loved to knit, crochet, play cards, host happy hours, and lend a friendly ear.  She was the person who always was willing to teach or help you finish your knitting or sewing projects.  She kept up her passion for golf and played for many years.  At Goldcrest, she dearly loved her friends and many, many others that often came to visit and keep in touch.

     Once in a lifetime someone touches your life in a way that even words cannot adequately describe.  Helen was such a person, a very special person.  Her effect on people was felt by many who were fortunate to know her.  She had a wonderful sense of humor and was truly happy.  Her life revolved around her family and friends.  Because of her love for people, coupled with her unselfish caring, she widened her family to include those who came along her path.  She demonstrated love, caring and sharing in everything she did for people, making each feel so important and loved.   She was a believer in God and his children.  She held no prejudice, put no barriers on friendship but rather extended her warmth, kindness and love to everyone she met.  Her genuine caring was reflected in her everyday living.

     Words cannot fully describe the essence of Helen.  She was such a special person.  Her kindness and love will forever be imprinted in the hearts of those whose lives she touched in very special and unique ways.  Remember her smile, love, friendship and wonderful sense of humor.  If there is a golf course in heaven, that is where she will be having a game with all her golf buddies that have gone before her.  Keep your head down Helen and remember to keep an eye on the ball!

     A Celebration of Life will be held on July 29, 2023 at Goldcrest Estates Clubhouse, 722 N.  Cambridge Street, Nampa, ID at 1pm.  Reception to follow.

     Helen was preceded in death by husbands; Walter Wegryn, 1957 and James Y. Coker, 2002; sons: Baby Drew W. Wegryn, 1956 and Mark J. Coker 1984; daughter, Judy A. Fagliano, 2004; father, Clifton I. Jamison, 1959; mother, Helen B. Jamison, 1982; brother, Clifton C. Jamison, 1987; sister, Carol A. Kersting, 2008; son-in-law, Raymond Fagliano, 2015; and stepson, Lynn D. Coker, 2018.

     Helen is survived by her daughter, Pamela S. (Kelly) Adams; grandsons: Jacob (Jess) Adams and Joe Fagliano; granddaughters: Amanda (Jack) Bronken, and Megan Fagliano; great granddaughter, Miles Adams; and nieces: Sharon (Lou) Herbert-Ferris, Amy Oliver (Robert Preinesberger); And many other family members and dear friends she loved you all.

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A Memorial Tree was planted for Helen
We are deeply sorry for your loss ~ the staff at Accent Funeral Home & Cremation
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