Carol Dodge (Armington) Coffroth |
| Posted 2009-11-16 by Judy Wight Branson |
| The Daily Courier, Prescott, Arizona Thursday, September 14, 2006 Carol Armington Coffroth died Tuesday morning, Sept. 12, 2006, at her home in Prescott. She was born July 7, 1923, in Ambridge, Pa., the daughter of John and Beulah (Dodge) Armington. Carol was 83 years old. She is survived by her husband, James, of 58 years; children, Susan Coffroth of Dewey, Ariz., Sally (Randy) Epperson of Camp Verde, Ariz., and Peggy Kingman of St. Paul, Ore. and John Coffroth, of Apache Junction, Ariz. Carol is also survived by grandchildren, Samantha, Bruce and Taylor. Arizona Ruffner Wakelin Funeral Home assisted the family with arrangements. Information provided by survivors. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~ The Daily Courier, Prescott, Arizona Monday, September 24, 2006 Carol Dodge Armington Coffroth died peacefully at her Prescott home Sept. 12, 2006, She was 83. Carol's departure was predictably certain several days before her passing, which provided sufficient time for all of her children as well as her husband of 58 years, James Me Donald Coffroth, to be by her bedside for final farewell wishes. The children include Elizabeth Susan Coffroth, the eldest, and her husband, Gilbert Walter; Sally Ann Epperson and her husband, Randy; Peggy Jo Kingman; and John Armington Coffroth. The youngest of the couple's five children, Bruce McDonald Coffroth, died in an automobile accident in 1975. In addition to her husband and children, Carol's survivors include Zephora Chili Coffroth, wife of John; and grandchildren Samantha VVeldon, Bryce and Taylor Kingman, and Alexis and Aneesa Coffroth. Carol was born July 7, 1923, in the borough of Ambridge, located on the shores of the Ohio River, about 15 miles north and west of Pittsburgh. She attended both elementary and middle school in Ambridge, where her father, John Roy Armington, was a member of the school board. Carol's family included her father, John Roy, her mother, Beulah Dodge Armington, and her only sibling, Mary Jo Skewes, all of whom preceded her in death. As a youngster growing up in an industrial age in one of the leading industrial towns in the country, Carol had the opportunity to meet and become friends with other children whose background reflected the varied spectrum of cultures of such a community. During those days; her family attended the Presbyterian Church, where she was an active member of the church choir. Both her parents had relations who lived and worked in the New England area of the country. Carol's family made it a practice to visit that section of the country, primarily Vermont and New Hampshire, during the summer months. It was during those days that she became acquainted with the operation of dairy farming and horseback riding. Her high school days at Ambridge High were filled with all of the activities of that era. She continued with her singing interests and the other activities popular at the time. When she wasn't working on her academic pursuits, Carol was prepping for dances, picnics, ice-skating, swimming and hiking. Carol always credited her family's strictness for keeping her "on the straight and narrow!" Her family could only afford a college education for one of the offspring, and that went to her older sister. Carol went to work in the clerical department of one of the industries in the town while she also saved her money to attend Robert Morris Business School in Pittsburgh, now Robert Morris University. Carol successfully completed the requirements for graduation, thanks to her hard work and determination. Her parents permitted her to live at home, rent-free, as long as she was succeeding with her studies. Upon graduation she was employed as a private secretary for a Mr. Reynolds, who was in middle management at the Socony-Vacuum Oil Company, owner of the Mobil Oil Company at the time. It was during this period that she met her huband-to-be. World War II had come to a close in 1946, and themen were returning to pick up where they left off before the conflict began. Jim returned to his pre-war job as gas station attendant at a Mobil Gas station while he planned his future. He settled on a career in journalism and was admitted to the University of Miami in Coral Gables, Fla. Before leaving the Pittsburgh area for the warmer climate of Miami, where his parents had retired, Jim met Carol at one of those "After the War parties" so popular at the time. Carol was in the company of one of Jim's best friends, who, by coincidence, also worked for Socony-Vacuum. Carol and Jim decided on the spot that she was with the wrong guy. They settled that misunderstanding by becoming engaged and were married about one-and-a-half years later, the date was Dec. 27, 1947, and Jim was on his Christmas break from his college studies. Because his four years' in the service had put him behind schedule, he worked doubly hard to rush through all his courses. With Carol's excellent clerical skills, to help him, Jim rapidly completed many of his assignments and was able to work for the Miami Herald at the same time. "Thanks to Carol," he always admitted, "I was able to complete both my bachelor's and master's degrees while working on the state's largest daily newspaper." By 1950, Carol suggested they start a family, and in rapid succession that's what they did. The children began to arrive in intervals of less than two years. After number five came along, Carol said she thought five was enough. The five children proved to be a challenge, but not an insurmountable one. Carol attended to her wifely and motherly duties, and still managed to do outside clerical work on the side. When (he youngest of the five children, Bruce, was enrolled in first grade, Carol went back to work in earnest. She began her career as an elementary school secretary. By that time, the family was living in Tempe. That changed when Jim accepted a position as a professor in the Journalism Department at Northern Arizona University in Flagstaff. Carol lost no time in landing a job with the Flagstaff public schools, where she continued her career as a school Secretary. Her professional career came to a close when she completed 25 years of service. All of the schools were state public schools, and during that time she moved from the Tempe district to the Flagstaff district, worked in about five schools, and with fewer than six school principals. Her efforts made it possible for all of the children to "keep up with the Joneses." Other records include two terms as secretary of the PTA and one term as president; five healthy and talented children - a winning hand, as in a poker game - three girls and two boys (a full house); five teenagers at the same time from August until November in one year; three girls in college at the same time; and every one of the four surviving children having earned at least a master's degree in different academic areas. During all this time, Carol managed to sandwich in family trips to at least 20 different states, several of the larger cities in this country, a two-week trip with her husband to Germany and a slightly more than ; weeklong visit to London. For six years, her efforts provided the funds for the family to maintain a summer hide-away right on the creek in Oak Creek Canyon, north of Sedona. In the latter years of her life, Carol frequently would comment on the fullness of her life. All of her family, husband, children, relations and friends, would agree. Toward the end, she indicated in her own way that her time had come and she was ready to move on. She will be missed. A memorial service will take place at 1:30 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 7, at the Granite Peak Unitarian Universalist Congregation, 882 Sunset Ave., in Prescott. Information provided by survivors. See Also: Arizona Gravestone Photo Program |
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