Former Scotts Valley teacher Lisa Ann Coffey died in Austin, Texas, after an eight-year-battle with breast cancer. She was 49.
Previously from Scotts Valley, Mrs. Coffey was highly respected for her nearly 20 years of teaching, during which time she founded Family Montessori School.
Relatives said the children and parents Mrs. Coffey worked with lent light and laughter to her life, and even when her illness forced the closure of the school in 2004, she never ceased talking about or loving her former students.
Mrs. Coffey is survived by her daughters, Marjorie Coffey of Santa Cruz, Julia Coffey of Roseville and Christina Hunter of Loomis; son, William Coffey of Torrance; sister, Christie Latimer of Austin; brother, Anthony Springstun of Orlando, Fla.; five grandchildren; and four nieces.
She was preceded in death by her mother, Marjorie Schwartz; father, W.R. Springstun Jr.; and brother, W.R. Springstun III.
A memorial service and burial took place in October in Fairmount Cemetery in Huntingburg, Ind.
