Marilyn Elizabeth Voynick Coffee

November 11, 1933 – April 30, 2022

Elizabeth Coffee (Liz) died at home on April 30, 2022. She was predeceased by her parents, Mary Shermetta Anthony and Stanley Carl Anthony, siblings Carl Anthony and Marcia Glaser, daughter Liza Beth Voynick, first husband Joseph Voynick, Sr., and husband James D. Coffee.

She is survived by children Tamara Voynick (Paul Saletan), Joseph (Josh) Voynick Jr. (Candice), and Stanley Voynick; grandchildren Amelia Voynick Saletan (Antonio de Andrade do Carmo), Benjamin Saletan Voynick (Samantha Tynes), Lily Voynick, and Colin Voynick; step-children Elizabeth Coffee (Tim Weber), Pamela O’Connor, Lexi Coffee (Kurt Sederman); step-grandchildren Sheehan and Rowin O’Connor and many dear friends.

Liz grew up in Linden, New Jersey, and graduated from Katherine Gibbs Business School in New York City. She went to work for American Cyanamid in New York City, and then married Joe Voynick in 1953 when Joe returned from his second tour in the Navy. The couple lived and worked in Florida for a couple years before returning to New Jersey. Liz stopped working when Tamara was born in 1957, and Josh was born in 1958. In 1961 the family moved to Phoenix. Stan was born in 1963 and Liza in 1967.

Liz began evening classes at Phoenix College in 1965 and graduated with an A.A. degree as valedictorian in 1970. She worked in the Admissions Office at Phoenix College after graduation and served in the Maricopa County Community College system for 7 more years, including time as the Director of Admissions at the new Rio Salado Community College. During this time Liz earned Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Vocational Education from Northern Arizona University. As part of her work with the community college system she counseled and encouraged Native American students about participating in Health Occupation programs and visited reservations to promote these programs.

Liz earned her real estate license and sold homes for a few years before continuing her career in higher education as an adjunct professor at the University of Phoenix. She very much enjoyed the interactive style of teaching at the UoP and in the 1990s taught some of the first online classes. Liz retired from the University of Phoenix.

Liz met Jim Coffee in Phoenix and they married in 1994. They moved to The Sea Ranch in California and enjoyed friends, volunteer work, projects, and watching the sunset together each evening until Jim’s death in September, 2021.

We will remember Liz’s fierce love for her family, her advocacy for and dedication to children and education, her sense of style, and the generous way she accepted people into her heart. We will miss her and will always remember her and her passions.

39 replies
  3. Martha Smythe
    Martha Smythe says:

    Liz was one of a kind, a very unique and timeless person, I would tell her. She was young and spirited, old and wise, a realist and a dreamer. She was a very dear friend and I miss her immensely.
    I will always remember her as one of the truly special people of my life

    Reply
    • Tam
      Tam says:

      Thank you, Martha, for helping Mom to take care of Jim at home in his last months, and for being such a good friend to both of them!

      Reply
  4. Adrian Bennett
    Adrian Bennett says:

    I have struggled on what to write about my dear friend of over 22 years. I have a tendency to be longwinded. So I have finally decided just to keep it short. Liz was the best of the best and I miss her. I wish her well in her afterlife..kisses and hugs to her and her family.

    Reply
    • Tam
      Tam says:

      Thank you, Adrian! You and Bill were good friends to Mom and Jim and we are glad you were part of their community.

      Reply

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