At Rest.
This brief and, sudden, as was her death, notice in the daily press of the demise at Williamsville, her early home, of Miss Haseltine Coe announced to a wide circle of friends and acquaintances, not only in Lancaster but throughout Western New York where she was widely known., that the familiar figure which had been the instruct of youth in the schools of Lancaster for more than a generation would be seen passing along our streets no more, but that she rested now from high and conscientiously performed labors, and Securely anchored in a strong Christian faith which was hers, and with a preparation which none who knew her intimately can doubt, she had but exchanged this for a higher, nobler, and more blissful sphere of activity. Although it was known to many of her intimate friends that her health was seriously impaired, they were not prepared for the announcement of her sudden death which occurred on Wednesday June 14, 1911, at the home of her sister, Mrs. John Lehn at Williamsville, following a visit to friends in Lockport, N.Y.
Miss Coe went from Williamsville after teaching for some time in the South and assumed her duties as a teacher in the Lancaster public school in 1867 and shortly after established her home there with her mother, Mrs. John Coe, and her sister, Miss L. Sue Coe. (Now on the Buffalo staff of teachers), who was also a teacher in the public school here for a number of years. At this time and for many years thereafter, until his retirement as a teacher. Miss Coe was· associated with the late Christopher E. Smith, then a principal of the Lancaster public school
Miss Coe's retirement occurred in June 1905, after a most successful and honorable career as a teacher in the Lancaster public school and afterwards high school during a period of upwards of thirty-five years, and at the commencement exercises in June of that year she was presented by the faculty and pupil's and many appreciative patrons of the 1 school with a substantial gift of money in gold in recognition of her long and faithful service in the Lancaster public school.
The funeral services were held at the home of her sister, Mrs. John Lehn at Williamsville, Friday afternoon, June 16, 1911, and were conducted by her pastor, Rev. W. H. Waith. pastor emeritus of the Presbyterian Church of Lancaster, and were largely attended by friends and acquaintances from Buffalo, Lockport, Williamsville and Lancaster.
Dr. Waith spoke feelingly and appreciatively of the life and character of the deceased, who had been a member of the Presbyterian Church during the entire time of her residence in Lancaster, and paid deserved tribute to her memory for the services and influence which have been left by Miss Coe as a kind of legacy to the community in which she labored so long and in which she was so universally respected and esteemed.
One of the most pleasing traits of Miss Coe’s character and one that will linger longest in the memory of all who knew her, was her always even and happy disposition, the never failing cordiality with which she always greeted old and young alike, and the zest with which she entered into everything that she did. Whether it was participating in the amusements of those of younger years or those of maturer years, or when engaged in the serious work of 1ife it was ever the same with Miss Coe; though the inevitable years advanced, in spirit., she was never anything else than young.
As evidence of the impress which the character and personality of Miss Coe as a teacher has made upon those whose privilege it has been to come within the sphere of her instruction and influence, Dr. Waith mentioned in his remarks the tribute paid to her by one of her former pupils who remembered her as his first teacher and from whom he bad received his first lessons and earliest instruction, and no doubt it expresses the feelings of hundreds now grown to manhood and womanhood in this community :
"As a teacher, one of her boys now grown to manhood who has always gratefully recalled through the years that have passed and now sorrowfully recalls by the death of Miss Coe the impress her personality made upon his youthful mind and heart. the highest attribute of the true teacher, and the gentleness and patience with which as his first teacher she imparted to him his first lessons in, “life’s hard school", now sorrowfully lays this immortelle this mourning wreath upon the grave of one whom he will always hold in grateful fond remembrance.”
Another graceful tribute paid to the memory of Miss Coe was that of the faculty of the Lancaster High school in having the flag displayed at half-mast on the day of her funeral.
The profusion of beautiful floral offerings at her funeral bore silent but eloquent testimony to the esteem and respect in which Miss 1 Coe was held. Th bearers, among whom were two of Miss Coe’s nephews, Carleton S. Koch of Pittsburg and Henry C. Lehn of Williamsville, were Dr. Harry B. Huver, Howard B. Long Allan B. Rinewalt of Williamsville and C. H. Bullis of Lancaster. Miss Coe. is survived by one brother and four sisters, Rev. A. J. Coe of Lanesboro Ia. Mrs. John Lehn , Mrs. H. N. Koch of Pittsburg, Mrs. John Senour of St. Louis and Miss L. Sue Coe of Buffalo.
Among former teachers and associate of Miss Coe who attended the funeral from Lancaster were Miss Nora Kinnicutt, preceptress of, the Lancaster High School.
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Categories: Erie County, New York | Lancaster, New York | Lancaster, New York, Leaders