In Memory

Theresa Coffman (Coffman Rodriguez)

Theresa Coffman (Coffman Rodriguez)

 

Theresa Marie Coffman Rodriguez, 54, of Norman, died Tuesday February 5, 2013 after a long and courageous battle with ovarian cancer.
She was born to Dewey I. and Norberta H. Coffman on December 20, 1958 in Louisville, KY. Theresa graduated from Norman High School in 1976 and received a BA in History from the University of Oklahoma in 1983. She received her master’s degrees in Environmental Science in 1991 and in Regional and City Planning in 1993 from the University of Oklahoma. She was married to Jorge Rodriguez in 2003.
 
She was employed by the University of Oklahoma over the last 15 years both as a visiting professor and as an adjunct professor of Interdisciplinary Perspectives on the Environment in the College of Arts and Science. She was pursuing her Ph.D. in Environmental Science.
 
 
Theresa was most proud of the work she did to raise respect, awareness and passion for our beautiful world and instilling in her students, an attitude of mankind’s role as stewards of the earth with its inherent responsibility to conserve and care deeply for its resources and all living creatures. She loved nature and her cats and enjoyed foreign languages, travel and time spent with good friends. She enjoyed spending time in her yard working to make it a beautiful haven for her cats while also making it a habitat for the birds that came to feed. 
She is survived by her husband Jorge and his children Phillip and P.J.; her mother Norberta H. Coffman, Norman; father Dewey I. Coffman, Sr. and step-mother Patricia Coffman also of Norman; her sister Mary Coffman Delafield and her husband Fred Delafield, MD of Oklahoma City; Diana L. Coffman of Norman; and two brothers Dewey I. Coffman, Jr. of Austin, TX and W. Craig Coffman of Del City, along with several nieces and nephews.
In lieu of flowers, Theresa requested that donations be made to Second Chance Animal Sanctuary of Norman.

 



 
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02/18/13 09:33 AM #1    

Linda Klingstedt (Sloan)

Theresa was always a smart and caring girl... what a wonderful impact she made, and a respectable legacy of awareness she leaves. Blessings to her families.

Linda Klingstedt Sloan


02/18/13 11:39 AM #2    

Steve Burleson

Theresa was an inspiration to me. She was always happy when I saw her at school. Theresa was always happy and optimistic with a great smile in the classes we shared.  I am sure that Heaven is now even a better place with Theresa's spirit....SRB


02/18/13 02:43 PM #3    

Karen Bellis (Powers)

I remember Theresa's sweet smile and disposition.  Her passing is a loss for this world.

Karen Bellis


02/18/13 03:43 PM #4    

Sonya Cohlmia (Grob)

Theresa I've enjoyed our friendship through the years...from 12 years old in seventh grade to the ripe old age of fifty four! We had fun as Rainbow girls together, had a good time in junior high school. Didn't visit much in high school but was so very glad we were able o reconnect a few years later!

  Most compassionately together, we've shared our love of cats.  Our rescues, our babies, their fights, their snuggles and purrs.  Their idiosyncrasies, their temper tantrums, the love they shared with us.  I know that your Hissy is missing you. I'm so very glad he was with you those last hours of your life.  We've talked yards and flowerbeds and wind chimes, "hangydownthingys" the fun of eclectic yards...shared the fun.  Enjoyed the daily lol cats that have been sent via emails...I think I'll continue sending till your  box is full and they get rejected.

  Though I will miss you tremendously, I'm so very glad that you're not in pain anymore.  I know these years were long with many trials...you stood tall and impressive through it all. I know the last days of your life were filled with pain but now the pain is gone.  I'm glad you had Jorge by your side to help you through it.   I'm going to miss you my friend. 

   I love you and will always thank God that you were my friend and a blessing in my life!


02/21/13 03:21 PM #5    

Susie O'Dell (Skaggs)

There initially was a misspelling of Theresa's married name which has now been corrected.  Her husband sent me this note to share with the class:

Hello Susie,

Thank you so much for making the correction to our last name.  Theresa would
have appreciated it.  I encouraged her to keep Coffman as her last name, but
she was so proud to be my wife and of her married last name.  She would even
accent  the "i" in Rodriguez to sign as it is written in Spanish.   I am
grateful for everyone's effort to acknowledge my dear Theresa for the
remarkable person that she was.  I am very fortunate that she was in my life
for some time, and lives on in my heart and mind.  

Regards,
Jorge

Ps: please feel free to post my comments.
 


02/22/13 06:23 AM #6    

Shauna Raymond (Evans)

Being a teacher is such a rewarding career. I know that she touched many lives and influenced many to become people who will give significant contributions to our planet.

 

Shauna Evans


02/28/13 11:35 AM #7    

Sonya Cohlmia (Grob)

 

Jennie Marsh commented on your status.
Jennie wrote: "`Sonya - I just heard about Theresa Coffman Rodriguez I have such happy memoriies of her from our Junior High years while I lived there. She did an excellent Lily Tomlin imitation & always kept me laughing at sleep overs and so much more! At an age when so many teens are petty, she was positive and friendly and funny and a wonderful friend! Her face in the photos still shows those lovely qualities. I am grateful she was my friend! Take care, "

 


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