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Helen Seislove Coffin quietly passed away on May 11, 2024, at the Betty Dare Good Samaritan Society with her two children at her side.
Helen is preceded in death by her husband, Francis Coffin; sister, Winifred Hagelin; brother, George Seislove. Helen is survived by her son, Charles Coffin of Tempe, AZ; daughter, Heidi Coffin of Stoneham, MA; sister, Winona Norris of Endwell, NY; brother, John Seislove of San Jose, CA; nieces and nephews, Anita Wasson, John Norris, Lori Dollard, Karl Hagelin, Karen Genard, Nancy Lotspeich, James Hagelin, Eric Seislove, and Lisa Seislove.
Helen was born to John Milton Seislove and Helen Fegely Seislove on June 5, 1931, in Johnson City, NY. She was the middle of five children and often spoke of fond memories of growing up in Binghamton, NY. Helen attended Cortland College earning her bachelor’s in education, later earning her Master's. She started her professional teaching career in Endwell, NY, but was soon lured to National City, CA to teach 3rd and 4th grade. Eventually, she moved back to Binghamton where she continued to teach for the New York school system until her marriage to Francis Coffin. After giving birth to two children, Helen's husband's job brought the family to Alamogordo, NM. While raising her children, Helen became active in her new community joining the PTA, hosting American Association of University Women meetings, and joining the Alamogordo Garden Club and Native Plants Society where she held several club positions. Helen also became an active member of the First Presbyterian Church of Alamogordo joining Presbyterian Women and becoming a deacon of the church.
Helen had a passion for travel, new experiences, education, and community service, traits which she instilled in her children and inspiring some of her nieces to pursue teaching careers. Helen and her husband enjoyed traveling the country and the world in their retirement and could often be seen in driving across the USA and Canada in their van.
Sadly, after Helen's husband's passing in 2013, Helen was diagnosed with dementia. With the help of the caregivers and staff of Mountain Shadows Homecare, Helen was able to remain in her home with loving care until the last year of her life when she became a resident of Betty Dare. Helen's children will be eternally grateful for the love, friendship, care, support, and comfort of the staff of Mountain Shadows, Betty Dare, and Ambercare Hospice.
Helen was dearly loved by her friends and family and will be deeply missed.
A Graveside Service will be held for Helen at the Monte Vista Cemetery on Saturday, June 8, 2024, at 11:00 am.
In lieu of flowers, please consider volunteering your time or donating monetary gifts to the Good Samaritan Society-Betty Dare at 3101 N. Florida Ave, Alamogordo, NM 88310.
The Coffin family has entrusted their loved one to the care of Alamogordo Funeral Home to direct the funeral services.
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