WILMINGTON — Elizabeth Strauss Coffey, known to all as Liz, transitioned to heaven peacefully with family by her side on January 27, 2025, in Wilmington, North Carolina at the age of 67.
Liz was known by family as an unwavering source of love, her energy for us seemingly boundless. We remember her with immense gratitude and celebrate a life that was filled with compassion, strength and laughter.
Born on October 22, 1957, in Mason City, Iowa, to the late John Louis Strauss and Mary Anne Bolling Strauss, she was the youngest of eight children.
Liz obtained her bachelor’s degree in journalism from the University of Georgia in Athens. She had a career as a magazine editor and graphic designer, eventually owning and successfully operating Coffey Designs while simultaneously building her family.
It was at Georgia that she met M. Terry Coffey, the love of Liz’s life and her devoted husband of forty-four years. They married in August of 1980 and the couple took up residence in a small home in Athens that they affectionately labeled the “Little Toot.” The sound of the home’s washing machine draining into the yard would have been an annoyance if not for being drowned out by the frequent laughter of friends.
Career opportunities took Liz and Terry to Gainesville, FL, where daughter Cameron was born, and to Raleigh, NC, where they were blessed with son Graham. They eventually settled in Wilmington, NC, in 1992 and built a rich life with a close community of friends and neighbors.
Liz was an active member of First Presbyterian Church where she served multiple terms as an officer. Liz had a rich prayer life and dialogued with her maker daily. Always willing to comfort others regardless of her own burdens, she was an exceptional listener who gave her heart and time freely to all those she met. Liz had the ability to imagine a positive outcome for a person even when they had yet to imagine it for themselves- Her optimism moved mountains. Ultimately, Liz lived out her faith in the way that she treated people.
Liz had a joyful spirit and a fun-loving nature that could liven up any social gathering. She was more than once found tambouring on stage at a wedding. Her taste in music was eclectic and led to her attending concerts ranging from Beyoncé to Van Morrison. An avid reader who loved swapping book recommendations, Liz had an extensive vocabulary that was maintained through daily word games. Liz engaged with her community as a member of the Junior League of Wilmington and by serving on the board at WHQR Public Radio.
Never idle, Liz could often be found playing tennis and pickleball with friends. Other hobbies included playing bridge, and more recently, Mahjong. She found great solace in nature- paddling her kayak in the marsh and walking briskly along the beach grounded her spirit. A true creative, she appreciated design and beauty in all forms and expressed herself through her home and an impeccable sense of style.
Liz’s zeal for travel outweighed her proclivity for motion sickness and a general hatred of flying. Whether it was a trip with Terry, vacations with family, or getaways with friends, Liz was always busy building her next itinerary. Throughout her life, she remained a committed Georgia football fan. Family vacations were often planned around which bowl game the Dawgs were in that year, and she would always remind coaches to “take the points” from her seat in the stadium. She loved a good hike and took the family to national parks from the time her children were young. Liz trekked under arches, into canyons, and over mountainsides in places as far away as Patagonia and Africa’s Kruger National Park.
Though Liz had an undeniable elegance, she also possessed a great strength of spirit and faith. Following a diagnosis of stage IV lung cancer in January of 2023, Liz continued to live her life fully and with joy. She took frequent trips to see family, friends and loved ones between treatments, even traveling abroad twice. She was buoyed by the outpouring of love and support that she received from her community. Never unaware of the reality at hand, yet determined to get the most out of each day, Liz beat cancer through the way that she lived with it.
Above all, Liz’s passion was for her family. She fostered an environment of open communication and unconditional support. The family home remained a place where her children could return for comfort, even as they built their own lives. Liz empowered both of her children to pursue their dreams, always remaining available to offer wisdom and encouragement. Her grandchildren, who were blessed to live just around the corner, would later seek out this same warmth and love. Liz especially embraced her role as “Lolly” to her grandchildren. She surprised even herself with the overwhelming and fiercely protective love that she felt towards them, building uniquely special relationships with each grandchild.
Liz is survived by her husband Terry Coffey of Wilmington, NC; daughter Cameron Crafford of Wilmington; son Graham Coffey and wife Brooke Coffey of Cedar Hill, New Mexico; grandchildren, Max Crafford and Blake Crafford; sister Mary Anne Haynes (Wilson); brothers, Thomas Strauss, James Strauss (Wanda), Stephen Strauss (Jill), and Timothy Strauss, and numerous cousins, nieces and nephews. Liz was preceded in death by her infant son Blake Tillman Coffey, parents, John Louis Strauss and Mary Anne Bolling Strauss, and brothers, John Strauss and Robert Strauss.
A memorial service will be held on Monday, February 3rd at 2:00 p.m. at First Presbyterian Church, 125 S. 3rd Street, Wilmington, NC 28401.
In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to First Presbyterian Church of Wilmington.
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