Doris M. Coffin

Doris M. Coffin of Windham, NH, formerly of Wakefield, MA, passed away peacefully surrounded by family after a brief illness on March 26, 2023.  She was 89 years old.

Doris was born November 11, 1933 in Melrose, MA, the daughter of Frank and Maria Favorat of Malden, MA.  Her parents owned and operated the well-known Nelson’s Bakery in Maplewood Square where she grew up with her brothers Frank, Jr. and Donald.  

Doris graduated from Malden High School in 1951 and worked briefly in banking.  At age 19 Doris married her junior high school sweetheart, Peter, also of Malden, with children following soon thereafter.  In 1959, the couple moved to the Chapman Park neighborhood of Wakefield where she had many dear friends and neighbors.  She was a long-standing member of Wakefield-Lynnfield United Methodist Church before attending Union Congregational Church of North Reading.

While raising her children was always her priority, Doris worked in many part-time jobs over the years, including cake decorating at her husband’s Baker Boy Bakery in Wakefield.  Later, she became a popular and well-known receptionist for various medical practices in the area where patients enjoyed her happy attitude, bright personality, and endearing wit. 

Doris loved her family’s summer home on Cobbetts Pond in Windham as a place for family and friends to gather and spend wonderful times together.  Her love and joy for family grew as her children married and grandchildren came into her life, and nothing gave her greater pleasure than spoiling her grandkids, especially on birthdays and Christmas.  Her six granddaughters spent lots of time with the “Gram” they loved and admired so very much, and with whom they joked and laughed endlessly.  Gram was never at a loss for helpful advice – whether sought or not!

In recent years, Doris made her home at Windham Terrace in NH, where she will be fondly remembered for her funny stories, joyful attitude, and engaging conversations.  She was truly a shining light among the residents at Windham Terrace – a friend to all and loved by both staff and residents.

Doris was predeceased by her loving husband of 45 years, Peter T. Coffin, and her cherished daughter, Susan M. Saunders.  She is survived by her son Peter A. Coffin and wife Kristin of Londonderry;  her daughter Sandra J. Law and husband James of Londonderry;  Susan’s husband, Kenneth, of North Reading, MA; and granddaughters Jennifer and husband Matthew;  Lindsay and husband William;  Amanda;  Rachel;  Molly and husband Michael;  and Jacqueline.  Also dear to her were several step-grandchildren, and her great-grandchildren Ryan, Colin, Maggie, Nicholas, Emma, and Elsie. 

Calling hours are Thursday, March 30, 4:00-6:00PM at Goundrey Dewhirst Funeral Home, 42 Main Street, Salem, NH.  A Celebration of Life/Funeral service will take place Friday, March 31 at 10:30AM, also at Goundrey Dewhirst Funeral Home. Committal services will be at 1:00 pm on Friday at Forest Dale Cemetery, 150 Forest St., Malden, MA.  In lieu of flowers, kindly consider a donation to the Mass General Cancer Center at Newton-Wellesley Hospital, 2014 Washington Street, Newton, MA  02462.  To leave an online condolence, please visit Doris’s tribute page at www.goundreydewhirstfuneral.com.   

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