Ree (Burns) Coffey

   COFFEY, REE (Burns), 96, of Edgewood died at home on April 23, 2021. She was the loving wife of Dr. Thomas B. Coffey. Born on August 27, 1924, in Condon, Oregon, she was the daughter of the late Gerald T. Burns and Mary R. Burns. She was the sister of the late Geraldine K. Evans (Norol), the late Roman A. Burns (Mary), the late James G. Burns (Bethyl), the late Charlotte G. Britt (Ira), the late Mary Rose Switzer (Evan), the late Joseph Burns, and the late Thomas F. Burns (Jacquie). She was the sister-in-law of the late Margaret and Bob Oates, the late James (Henry) and Doris Coffey, the late Mary and Del Hay, the late Col. Francis and Betty Coffey, and the late Chief George and Sophie Coffey. 
   She received her Bachelor’s Degree in Social Work from Oregon State University and her Master’s Degree in Social Work from Boston College. Professionally, she worked as a Social Worker for several years in Portland, Oregon, Boston, and Providence. She volunteered for many years, assisting the homeless, at the original Amos House in Providence. She also volunteered for many years with the Catholic Prison Ministry Program at the A.C.I. Ree was one of the Pilgrims who visited the small Croatian town of Medjugorje shortly after the apparitions began. She was a strong pro-life advocate and supporter of the pro-life movement. Ree cared about everyone. For decades, every Saturday, she would open her home to her prayer group and all of her friends. It did not matter to her who you were, or where you were from, if you needed help, someone to talk to, or just a hot cup of coffee, she was there for you. 

   Ree was married to her loving husband Tom for sixty-one years. She was the mother of the late James J. Coffey. She leaves her children, Thomas B. Coffey, Esq. and his wife Lisa of Foster, Gerald T. Coffey of Edgewood, John J. Coffey of Hawaii, Joseph M. Coffey and his wife Kym of Charleston, Dr. Mary S. Coffey and her husband David King of Richmond, and Robert P. Coffey of Narragansett. She was the Grandmother of Greg, Tim, Liv, Ellie, Stephanie, and Ilana Coffey, along with Ryan, Connor, Mariah, and Michael King. She also leaves her many cousins, nieces and nephews, their children, and their grandchildren along with her prayer partners, and her many wonderful family friends. Ree will be deeply missed by everyone her life has touched. 

   Due to COVID-19 restrictions, calling hours are respectfully omitted. Relatives and friends are invited to attend a Mass of Christian Burial celebrated Wednesday at 10:00 AM at St. Paul Church of Edgewood, Cranston, RI Burial will be Private.

   Your memories of Ree may be shared at the Jones-Walton-Sheridan Funeral Home website (www.jwsfh.com). In lieu of flowers, donations may be made, in Ree’smemory, to Saint Paul’s Church, One Saint Paul’s Place, Cranston, R.I. 02905, or to Rhode Island Right To Life, 266 Smith Street, Providence, R.I. 02908.

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