Former Juneau resident, Marian "Elaine" Coffman passed away in Deming, New Mexico on December 5, 2011, surrounded by her family. She was born on May 22, 1925, in Lometa, Texas to Marion Lowe and Grace Pearson Lowe. The family moved to Richmond, California in 1942, and it was there she met her future husband, Carroll Rex Coffman. They married in Warrenton, Oregon on September 7, 1944. Within a year they had moved to Alaska where they lived in Fairbanks, Nushagak, Wrangell and Juneau. It was in Juneau that Elaine became a successful business woman and partner in the local Super Rexall Drugstore. For years she was an active member of the Alaska Democratic Party and ran several successful campaigns for local politicians. She and Rex built a home in Deming in 1976 and she retired here in 1989. She was happiest when helping others and volunteered at the Deming Chamber of Commerce, Deming Helping Hand, and Mimbres Valley Hospice. She was preceded in death by her husband, Rex, her parents, and four of her siblings. She is survived by her son, Leonard Coffman and his wife Leora, daughter Dana LaTour and husband Bob, and daughter Karen Tanner and husband Jim. She adored her grandchildren: Patrick Kane, Brad LaTour, Janelle LaTour McCarty, Grace LaTour, Callie Tanner and Haley Tanner. She had four great-grandchildren. She is also survived by her sister Deane Barton. During the last years of her life she was fortunate to have found another love in her companion, Vic Fauci. She will be remembered for her smile, her compassion and her belief in the power of a heartfelt hug. A celebration of her life will be held on Thursday, December 8, 2011, at 2:00pm at the First United Methodist Church in Deming. A reception will follow at Palma's Italian Grill. In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to Mimbres Valley Hospice at 111 N. Pearl St., Deming, NM 88030 or the . The family may be contacted through Dana LaTour, 2015 Driscoll Dr, Reno, NV 89509.