Phebe E. Willcox Coates, formerly of Ledyard, passed peacefully in her daughter’s home in Bradford, RI on Thursday morning.
Phebe was a lover of books, gardening, and family. She enjoyed being outside and gardening in her younger years and supervising in her older years. In her last months, Phebe was compassionately managed by Home & Hospice Care of Rhode Island, and touched many lives before she left us to be at peace.
Mrs. Coates is survived by a daughter, Dorothy Donaldson of Preston, CT, a son Lawrence Coates of No. Portland, ME, and a younger daughter, Louise Coates of Bradford, RI; her 8 grandchildren who she was fortunate to have enjoyed, Elaine Murphy of Niantic, Evelyn Ploof of Preston, Jennifer Ryan of Gales Ferry, John Donaldson of Preston, Allen Coates of Ledyard, Joseph Coates of Plainfield, Amy Hinkley of No. Portland, ME, and Jason Coates of Bradenton, ME; 2 step-grandsons, Bryan & Tyler O’Rourke of Bradford, RI; and her 14 great-grandchildren whom she was thrilled to enjoy; her siblings, Ernestine May Perkins of Danielson, CT, Goldie Ada Robbins of No. Stonington, Elmer Willcox and Ray Willcox Jr. both of Ledyard. Phebe was predeceased by two husbands, Leo Barbosa Mattos and Lawrence Irven Coates of Ledyard; two sisters, Sadie Green of Ledyard and Mini Perkins of Waterford..
Her family will greet relatives and friends at The Dinoto Funeral Home, 17 Pearl Street, Historic downtown Mystic on Friday from 5-7pm. A Graveside Service will be conducted at Elm Grove Cemetery, Rte. 27, Mystic on Saturday at 10am. (Guests are requested to arrive between 9:30- 9:45am)
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Home & Hospice Care of Rhode Island, (www.hhcri.net), 143 Main Street, Wakefield RI 02879.
To share a message of remembrance or condolence with Phebe’s family, click the link below.