Carol “Tina” Coffin died on Monday, January 28, 2013 at UCLA Medical Center of respiratory failure. Tina suffered from pulmonary fibrosis for the last three years and received a lung transplant in June 2012. She valiantly fought to overcome her pulmonary illness for the last seven months since the transplant surgery.
Tina was born on June 15, 1946 in New Orleans, LA to Carol Crane Lucas and Donald Charles Elsaesser. She grew up in St. Louis, MO and graduated from Mary Institute. She attended Mount Vernon College in Washington DC and Sacred Heart University. In 1985, she received her Master of Social Work degree from Columbia University in New York City. Tina worked as a medical social worker for Hospice organizations in Connecticut for 25 years.
Tina and her husband Dwight retired to Santa Barbara in 2001. Tina served on the board of Montecito Emergency Response and Recovery Action Group (MERRAG) for six years and worked hard with that organization through the three recent fires that have affected our community. She was an active member of All Saints by the Sea Episcopal Church and served as Newcomer Coordinator of the parish for six years. Tina also actively supported the Music Academy of the West, the Ensemble Theatre Company, Santa Barbara Newcomers and Planned Parenthood.
Tina is survived by her husband of 26 years Dwight C. Coffin, her sons Thomas M. Day (Maggie) of Westhampton, NY, William C. Day (Aimee) of Boulder, CO and stepson John C. Coffin (Mary) of Atlanta, GA, and five grandchildren. She is also survived by her parents Donald and Carol Elsaesser of Montecito. Tina was preceded in death by her sister Karen Quistard – Petersen Mann of Tiburon, CA.
A memorial service will be held on Saturday, February 2, 2:00 PM at All Saints by the Sea Episcopal Church in Montecito. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests that contributions may be made to MERRAG, Ensemble Theatre Company or All Saints Church
Arrangements are under the direction of the Ted Mayr Funeral Home, 3150 Loma Vista Rd., Ventura. Condolences may be left at TedMayrFuneralHome.com.
