Dr. Susan P. Coffey

Albany- Susan P. Coffey, ED.D died Tuesday April 5, 2016. Dr. Coffey was born Anastasia Susan Panek in Albion, Orleans County NY, the daughter of the late Albert and Antoinette Panek. She graduated from Elba Central School as valedictorian and was awarded three scholarships. Dr. Coffey received her BA and MA degrees from SUNYA, MST degree from Union College and ED.D from SUNYA. When she started as an analytical chemist at Sterling Winthrop Research Institute she encountered a grave problem. The company thought they had a wonder drug. Stocks in the company were soaring. The drug has been tested by another chemist and was ready for production. When Dr. Coffey tested it, she found that the drug was unstable and in fact was nonexistent. The company was saved much embarrassment and money. When she taught chemistry at Albany High School, her student’s records on the Regents were so high that the Regents dept. became suspicious. They felt that these records could not be honest. Dr. Coffey’s principal was notified that she was not to be allowed in the room with students taking the test unless another person was present. Her amazing record was honest. She taught at the college of Pharmacy, and was offered a position in a Swiss college but the Swiss government would not allow her to be hired. Swiss nationals must be offered the position first. She was nominated as Teacher of the Year and received a certificate of Merit for excellence in Chemistry by the American Chemical Society. Dr. Coffey was nominated for Who’s Who in America. She was a diamontologist sales associate with local jewelers. Although Dr. Coffey had several successful careers, she valued her family most. She commented; “If we do not do a good job rearing our children, nothing else matters.” She assured her children, “No one will ever love you as much as your mother”. Dr. Coffey enjoyed reading, bowling, golf (she scored a hole in one), gardening, traveling and enjoyed many good times with her friends at the Colonie Country Club. She was enthusiastic Buffalo Bills football fan and the Anaheim Angels were her favorite baseball team. As a youngster she was a Gene Autry Fan. Autry founded the Angels. She was an avid John Wayne fan starting when she was in 6th grade. She was proud to have picked a winner. The Duke Blue Devils were her favorite basketball team. She traveled to all the continents except Antarctica, among her adventures; she took a hot air balloon over the Masi Mara in Kenya, saw the Berlin Wall and the bridge over the river Kwai. She wrote three novels. Dr. Coffey had many interests, but she loved learning most of all. She studied college courses in The History of Western Civilization, Geology, Mathematics, Art and Natural Law but her favorite was the study of philosophy. Philosophy means the love of knowledge.This is the title of her favorite book by Kolakowski which investigates 23 questions from great philosophers. Dr. Coffey is survived by her daughter, Susan Shafer (Robert) of Glenville, her sons Dr. John J. of Indiana, Michael of Slingerlands, Mark of Missouri; her two grandsons Daniel Coffey of Texas and Jacob Shafer of Glenville. She was the widow of John J. Coffey. She is also survived by her sisters Dorothy Allen and Florence Rodon of western NY. She was predeceased by her brothers and sisters. She has nieces and nephews in western NY and California. Dr. Coffey is survived by cousins in Western NY, Detroit and Poland. Her cousin Stanislavia Panek died in Auschwitz. Her uncle Karl Panek survived Auschwitz but died immediately after his release. The family would like to thank the staff at St. Peter’s Health Partners and the Hospice Inn at St. Peter’s for their care and compassion. Memorial Contribution may be made to The Community Hospice Gift Processing Center, 310 S. Manning Blvd. Albany, NY 12208 (communityhospice.org) Relatives and friends are invited and may visit with Susan’s family on Friday, April 8, 2016 from 4:00 to 7:00 pm in the McVeigh Funeral Home, 208 North Allen Street, Albany. A Funeral Mass will be celebrated at St. Matthew’s Church in Voorheesville on Saturday, April 9, 2016 at 9:00 am. The Rite of Interment will be held at St. Agnes Cemetery, Menands immediately following the Mass. To leave Dr. Coffey’s family a message on their guestbook, light a candle, obtain directions, or view other helpful services, please visit www.McVeighFuneralHome.com

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Dr. Susan P. Coffey

February 24, 1929 - April 5, 2016