Lois Betty (Tobin) Coates, 88, of Wellington, Florida passed away 12/2/15, complications of CHF. She was pre-deceased by her husband of 41 years, Dr. Bradley T. Coates. Lois ("Peachie") was a native of Chittenango, New York. (Birthplace of Frank L. Baum, author of The Wizard of OZ). "Peachie" was Captain of her High School Women's Basketball team graduated in 1945. She received her B.S. from Syracuse University, 1951 and completed a 12 month course at Scripps Metabolic Clinic in La Jolla, California, 1952. Lois worked briefly as a Registered Dietitian, prior to her marriage 1953. In 1962, Lois and her husband Bradley moved their family to Florida. She often said she was "The Family Taxi" as she drove the children to their various sports activities, and towed the ski boat & horse trailer with her station wagon. Lois and Brad were active with Shriners (Amara Temple) and through Rotary International they welcomed two foreign exchange students from The Netherlands into their home for the school year (1960s/1970s). Lois was a Paul Harris Fellow via The Rotary Foundation of Rotary International. She accompanied her husband on surgical mission trips to Pucallpa, Peru with the South American Mission (1980s) and occasionally provided clerical assistance in his medical practice. Lois was Past President and Treasurer of P.E.O. Sisterhood, American Legion Auxiliary and Lake Worth Garden Club. She was an avid Quilter and belonged to the Palm Beach County Quilters Guild participating in the Flamingo Run for many years. Lois participated in several sewing circles, often referring to them as "Stitch & Bitch". She was a fanatical Jigsaw Puzzler, rarely found a puzzle she couldn't finish, although she usually lost a few pieces. Lois loved flying kites and she celebrated her 80th Birthday in a Hot Air Balloon at Lake George, New York. A devoted animal lover, "Peachie" had a Little Lamb and Boston terrier when she grew up in Chittenango, NY. Her Florida life included a multitude of dogs, cats, horses, goats, geese, rabbits and peacocks. Lois was a member & attended Grace, Lake Osborne, Palms West and Gardens Presbyterian Churches over the past 50 years. Lois is survived by her four children Tom (Mona); Cindy (BFF Jim); Tricia (BFF John); Diane (BFF Keith) and granddaughter Caitlin (BFF Eric); sister-in-law Myrtle Tobin and many nieces and nephews. Lois was blessed to have so many wonderful friends and she treasured them all. A Celebration of Life Memorial Service will be held at Palms West Presbyterian Church on Saturday January 9, 2016 2:00PM with Reception to follow, location TBA As mentioned above, Lois was a member of P.E.O. (Chapter EZ of Lake Worth). P.E.O. is a philanthropic educational organization that provides assistance to help deserving women pursue their educational goals through scholarships, grants, loans, awards and the stewardship of Cottey College. In lieu of flowers, tax deductible donations can be made in her honor, payable to the P.E.O. Foundation, 628 Cypress Key Dr. Atlantis, Florida 33462 OR donations can be made in her honor at one of the churches she attended.
