Kathy E. (Ellison) Coates

Kathy Ellison Coates passed away unexpectedly on June 2, 2010. She was born on March 19, 1950, in Fayetteville, N.C.

Kathy is survived by her daughter, Ellison Coates Thomas (Stephen) of New York, NY, and son, Glenn Christopher Coates of Phoenix, AZ. She is also survived by her mother, Audrey Ellison Ferguson; step-father, Curtis Campbell Ferguson; sister, Jo Anne Ellison McKinney (Rea), all of Jacksonville, FL; and niece, Elizabeth Warwick Higginbottom (Chris), of London, England. She was preceded in death by her father, Joseph Christopher Ellison; and nephew, Joseph Grant Prather, both of Jacksonville, FL.

Brett, Dawn, Andrew and Grant Beaulieu were beloved friends of Kathy’s and will miss her deeply.

A natural-born teacher, Kathy graduated from Stetson University, DeLand, FL, in 1972. She pursued her love of all things French by studying also at the University of Neuchatel in Switzerland. She taught high school French in Longwood, FL, before moving to Racine in 1988. She was employed by J.I. Case Company and, for the last 10 years, ran her marketing and communications company, Smart Works.

Volunteer service was important to Kathy and she served with the RSVP volunteer center. She also volunteered her time and professional services to The Big Fun Foundation, in Jacksonville, FL, a 501(c)(3) organization established by her late nephew.

Relatives and friends are welcome to visit with the family on Monday, June 7, 2010, at 4 p.m. at the funeral home. A Time of Remembering Kathy’s Life will follow at 6 p.m. It is Kathy’s wish that in lieu of flowers, memorials be made to The Big Fun Foundation, 3375 Picadilly Lane, Jacksonville, FL 32257.

MARESH-MEREDITH & ACKLAM FUNERAL HOME
803 Main St., Racine  (262) 634-7888