Dilys Davies Coleman

Our world is a less gentle place today with the passing of Dilys Coleman. She departed serenely at Aston Park Health Care Center on March 5th, at the age of 95. She leaves behind a loving tribe. Mourning her passing are son Gary and his wife Patty of Asheville, son Craig and his wife, Diane of Las Vegas, and daughter, Kelley Ann Coleman, of Denver. Also mourning the passing of "Granny-great," are 5 grand-children and 10 great-grandchildren. Dilys, whose name in old Welsh means genuine, perfect, and true, was the child of Welsh homesteaders on a wheat farm in Saskatchewan, Canada. Her parents, Evan Edward Davies and Blodwin Williams Davies, her sister Mavis Mavfanwy Broadbridge, and brother, Harvey Davies, all preceded her in passing. Dilys left that family farm to attend, and ultimately graduate, from Saskatoon City Hospital Nursing School in 1940. She was then assigned to a hospital in Hamilton, Bermuda, and attended to patients who had been aboard ships which had been torpedoed in the Atlantic. While in Bermuda, she met her future husband, Eugene Victor Coleman, a young American sailor from West Virginia, who was part of a small U. S. Navy contingent in Bermuda. They married shortly after Pearl Harbor brought America into WW II, and before "Gene" was transferred to the War in the Pacific. Gene and Dilys partnered their way through the American Dream as members of the "greatest generation". Gene rose through the ranks during a 26-year Navy career, becoming an officer, and ultimately earning a Bachelors degree, and Master's Degree from San Diego State University. Dilys successfully raised three children, and returned to her work as a nurse, eventually becoming a nursing supervisor in San Diego, California. Gene had a second career as a college professor in San Diego. Their next retirement took them to Whidbey Island in Puget Sound, and eventually to Asheville to be near family. Gene went on ahead in 2011 to prepare a place for Dilys. While her youth was spent on a remote farm, Dilys later traveled globally. Her interests in life as a senior included teaching herself to play classical guitar, and country-style fiddle. She became proficient in calligraphy, and danced in a senior citizen tap dance review known as the Silver Taps. Her interests were wide and varied, but always centered on family. A celebration of the life of Dilys Coleman will take place continually in the hearts of those she leaves behind. The family wishes to express their sincere appreciation to the compassionate, and caring staff at Aston Park Health Care Center, and the Hospice staff of CarePartners.