Pauline “Polly” Coffey, 100, of Lawrence, Kansas, died peacefully on August 11, 2025, at her home with family present.
She was born at home on June 30, 1925, on her family’s farm in Tangier, Oklahoma (Woodward County), to Henry Schmidt and Minnie (Hasemeier). Polly was one of seven children and part of two sets of twins. She and her identical twin sister, Irene, shared a lifelong bond as best friends. Their closeness shaped Polly’s life, and her love for Irene remained deep even after Irene’s passing in 1988.
Polly showed academic promise from an early age, graduating from Tangier High School in 1943 in a class of only four students, where she served as class president and Irene as class secretary. She continued her education at Northwestern State College in Alva, Oklahoma, where she joined Sigma Kappa Sorority.
During World War II, Polly and Irene traveled together to Washington, D.C., where they worked for the Navy’s Bureau of Ships in the War Department.
In 1945, Polly married Elmo “Buzz” Coffey in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. Together they built a life in Wichita, Kansas, raising three sons. Once her boys were older, she joined McBride & Dehmer Construction as a Business Manager, where she handled everything from job estimates to payroll and OSHA reporting. Her talents and leadership earned her recognition as Woman of the Year in Construction.
Polly was a devoted volunteer, giving her time to Woodland United Methodist Church, Wichita Public Schools as a student mentor, Old Cowtown Museum, and the Wichita Botanical Gardens. She was a gifted quilter, winning awards for her work, and she enjoyed reading, bridge, nature, church, politics, and developed a love of sports, which she learned from her sons. She also loved to travel, with trips to Hawaii, Colorado, Maine (where she walked part of the Appalachian Trail), London, Quebec, and Jamaica.
In retirement, Polly and Buzz enjoyed traveling in their 5th wheel to Texas during the summers, where they met friends and created many fond memories together. They shared a loving bond until Buzz’s passing in 2009.
Above all, Polly was devoted to her family. She brought everyone together for home-cooked meals, holidays, and birthdays, continuing this tradition well into her nineties, connecting generations with her warmth, wisdom, and unwavering love.
She is survived by her three sons and daughters-in-law, Tom Coffey (Linda), Ted Coffey (Vickie), and Todd Coffey (Barb); five grandchildren, Alison (Mike), Jessica (Jacob), Sam (Megan), Alex, and Keenan; four great-grandchildren, Beckham, Elora, Levon, and Lola; as well as nieces and nephews from her beloved sisters and brothers Irene, “Toots,” Pearl, Earl, Bill, and Elmer.
Her family will gather in Wichita at Noon on Saturday, September 20, 2025, at White Chapel Memorial Gardens, 1806 N Oliver St, Wichita, KS 67208, Garden of Atonement, to celebrate her remarkable life.
In lieu of flowers the family suggests memorial contributions made to the Woodland United Methodist Church, 1100 W 15th St N, Wichita, KS 67203.
Polly once wrote:
“I learned one thing from the death of my Twin and siblings. We are terminal. Our time is finite and to spend most of it feeling bad is more than a waste. An excess of mourning dishonors the nature of life itself and the person you’re missing. Be happy. It’s your choice.”
— Pauline Coffey
Sending a lot of love to Pauline’s family. Getting the news of her passing was hard on me. Ever since the day I became her housekeeper, she was so delighted to have me, and I knew she was someone special. Over the years, she and I had some wonderful conversations. Pauline would always ask me about my family, would delight in talks of my crochet projects, and encourage me to take more time to go out on trips. She would frequently tell me she didn’t know how she got so lucky as to be blessed to have a friend and an angel come into her life. I would always tell her that it was the other way around, she was the angel in my life, and I was grateful to see her every time. There will never be another like Pauline, she was an amazing lady. She loved to talk about her family, of her son’s artwork she hung on the walls of her place, the walks she’d take with her son, trips to the library and shops they’d visit, visiting family, and reminisce on her younger days with her husband. I smile knowing that she is with him now, and will be watching over all of us as the angel she always was. Blessed be Pauline, I miss you!
Just thinking of Polly puts a smile on my face. She was so sweet and wrote the nicest cards at Christmas. Looking forward to hearing more about her life at the service. Intrigued by the reference to her work in WWII in her obit.
Really enjoyed knowing Polly. We were in a bookclub together here in Wichita. She was a great friend and a lovely person.
Polly and Buzz were great ling-tome friends with my parents Jim & Christine Sheets. They played bridge together also with the Price and Preston families. Polly was such a joy to be around. We are deeply sorry for your loss. She will be missed.
She was my rock, my anchor, and my true companion. After my mother died I allowed her to be my crying post! I’ll miss her very much.
Thank you for sharing Polly’s words on mourning. She was a wise soul. I did not know her and have no connection the family, but just happened to read her obituary. Thank you sharing her words, which have already helped me through grieving the loss of my younger brother. My condolences to the family in your loss.
Truly loved this lady. She was a neighbor and friend to my mom and me. She and mom talked about, who knows, but they enjoyed each other. After mom passed at 99 years 9 months Polly said her goal was to beat that and she did.