Magdaletta Coffin

SISTER MAGDALETTA COFFIN, O.S.F.
Sister Magdaletta Coffin, OSF (Jennie Coffin) 96 passed away on April 9, 2009 at Marian Residence, Santa Maria, California. Sister Magdaletta was born on June 14, 1912 in Brooklyn, New York to Clement Coffin and Antoinette Pierce Barton. Sister had two brothers and one sister. When she was ten, her family moved to Sacramento, California, and it was there that she met the Sisters of St. Francis through Fr. Francis Gliebe, OFM. She entered the community at Stella Niagara, New York in 1932 and made her profession of vows in 1934.
Sister Magdalette was first assigned as cook in a number of convents and institutions in the East, both in Columbus, Ohio and Charleston, West Virginia. When the Provinces of the Sisters of St. Francis were divided in 1939, Sister was the cook at the first Western Motherhouse in Monrovia, California. She later ministered at Sacred Heart Hospital, Havre, Montana; at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Hospital (Sisters Hospital) here in Santa Maria, California; and in several convents in the Los Angeles area. She was known among the Sisters for her nutritious and delicious meals. Sister moved to St. Mary's Academy on Cowlitz Prairie, Washington in 1954 and spent 25 years there working both at the Academy and in the parish, where she made numerous friends. She later served as Conference Center Assistance at Mount Alverno, Redwood City, California, and as Secretary at Grace Day Home in Sacramento, California.
One of Sister Magdaletta's greatest joys was her visit to the Holy Land in 1995. She received an "Attestation of Pilgrimage" during this journey, which gave her the right to bear the title of "Jerusalem Pilgrim".
In 2001 Sister Magdaletta experienced some health problems, and came to be part of the community in the Sisters' care center at Marian Residence. She continued to enjoy corresponding with her family and numerous friends, both from Washington and Redwood City. A woman known as very faithful to her prayer life, Sister attended Mass daily almost till the end of her life, and loved spending time in the quiet of the small chapel in the care center.
Sister passed away on Holy Thursday, the day commemorating the institution of the Eucharist. It was a fitting time for a woman who loved the Mass and the Eucharist to join her loving God. Sister would have celebrated 75 years as a Franciscan Sister this year, and is now celebrating with her family in heaven.
Sister was preceded in death by her parents and two brothers. She is survived by her sister Lee Hiser, and her loving nieces, nephews, and cousins and their families. She is also survived by the members of her religious community, the Sisters of St. Francis.
Vigil service will be held on Sunday, April 19 at 7:00 p.m. in the Chapel of Marian Residence, 124 South College Drive, Santa Maria. Mass will be at 10:00 a.m. on Monday, April 20 in the Marian Residence Chapel. Rev. Riz Carranza will be the celebrant. Interment will follow in the Santa Maria Cemetery.
Donations may be made in Sister Magdaletta's memory to the Sisters of St. Francis at Marian Residence, 124 South College Drive, Santa Maria, California.
Arrangements are in the care of Magner-Maloney Funeral Home and Crematory. Sympathy notes and words of support may be expressed at www.magnermaloney.com.