Ethel Coleman

Ethel Coleman passed away on May 25, 2024 at the age of 87, in Boulder, CO, where she had been living in her son Howard's home since October 2021.

She spent her final two weeks peacefully in their home surrounded by friends, neighbors, kind nurses, Boulder rabbis, flowers, photo albums, music and mountain views. She was even able to enjoy several excursions into the garden during this time.

Ethel breathed her last breath in her own bed with Howard by her side. Our tradition teaches that tzadikim, the righteous ones, leave the world on Shabbat, and Ethel certainly lived her life as a righteous woman. Ethel was immensely committed to taking care of her family, and dedicated to women's rights, education and justice.

Ethel graduated from Ben Franklin High School class of 1955 and continued her education at SUNY New Paltz with a Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education. She later earned a Masters in Education from the University of Rochester. Ethel taught 6th grade and later worked as a substitute teacher. Ethel married Bernie Coleman in 1972 when Howard was 7, and together the family moved to 45 Hibiscus Drive in Brighton, which would become Ethel's beloved home and the setting for innumerable family picnics and holiday celebrations for almost 50 years. Ethel grew beautiful flower beds and vegetables which Bernie enjoyed. Up until 2000, Ethel and Bernie ran a successful business appraising, liquidating and auctioning goods and equipment - a fixture in Rochester NY for many decades. Ethel and Bernie were a great and constant team, and during his final 10 years of declining health, she devoted herself to caring for him.

Ethel was predeceased by her beloved husband Bernie Coleman, and by her sisters Miriam and Rheva. As the youngster of her generation, she was also predeceased by many beloved older cousins who had entered their 90s while she was still in her mid-70s. Ethel was committed to helping and looking after these older Rochester-based family members with food deliveries, rides, shopping, errands, etc.

Ethel is survived by her son Howard Susskind, nieces Joyce (Michael), Gail (Ken), Karen (Dave), Sue, Elaine, nephew Marvin (Zippy) and sister-in-law Anne. Ethel was a great-aunt to a dozen grand nieces and nephews, and even a half-dozen great-grand nieces and nephews. She took an interest in the activities of each, and loved every one of them.

Donations may be made to a charity of your choice in Ethel's memory. Examples of causes she cared about include Women's American ORT, Anti-Defamation League, Jewish Family Services of Colorado / Boulder, Planned Parenthood, American Jewish World Service, Southern Poverty Law Center, NPR, PBS, and any campus Hillel.

Ethel was sweet, kind and loving, a very devoted mother, sister, aunt, cousin and friend. She will be deeply mourned and missed by Howard and other members of the family.