Coder, Lois (nee Kelly)

Lois Coder (formerly Lois Dunn and Lois Kelly), 88, passed away peacefully and surrounded by loved ones, following a brief illness. She lived a long, busy, and interesting life filled with love, friendship, curiosity, and joy.

Born in 1937 and raised in Mt. Union, Pennsylvania, She graduated from Mt. Union High School in 1955 and went on to attend Penn State University.

In her early adulthood, Lois embraced adventure and independence, becoming a flight attendant with Eastern Airlines and later Overseas National Airways. She traveled to many countries around the world and lived in several vibrant cities, including New York City, San Francisco, and Honolulu. She also lived in Spain for a year and later worked in the offices of Trans World Airlines and CBS Television in New York City. During this period, she developed a lifelong love of culture, travel, and the arts.

In the 1970s, Lois was a devoted practitioner of Kripalu Yoga and became a yoga teacher.

For more than 30 years, she made her home in Absecon and Port Republic, New Jersey, where she raised her two daughters with her former husband, the poet Stephen Dunn. Her life in New Jersey was filled with good food, close friendships, and culturally rich pursuits. Theater, music, books, and lively conversations were central to her world.

At the age of 44, Lois returned to school and earned an associate’s degree in Applied Science in the Culinary Arts from the Academy of Culinary Arts in Mays Landing, New Jersey, and also studied at the Natural Cookery School in New York City. She went on to work in cafés, catering businesses, and gourmet-to-go establishments in the Atlantic City area. She later worked in the food and beverage executive offices in two hotels. She was a gifted cook and baker and made memorable dinners for her family almost every night.

Lois was an avid reader and a lover of foreign films, jazz, and classical music, especially piano and cello. She had many beloved pets throughout her life that lived in her house, but she was also always a friend to all strays and animals in need.

In 2001, she was fortunate to be reunited with and married to her high school sweetheart, Tom Coder, of Wilmington, Delaware, who grew up in Mapleton Depot, Pennsylvania. Through this marriage, Lois became a part of a large and loving family, including Tom’s children—Jodi, Lauri, Tom Jr., and Leslie—their spouses, and Tom’s many grandchildren.

In recent years, Lois lived in St. Louis, Missouri, near her daughter Andrea. She treasured time spent with her grandchildren, Clyde and Hazel Johnston, who loved playing music for their grandmother—Hazel on the violin and Clyde on the guitar. Lois and Clyde bonded over their shared love of jazz, and Hazel’s frequent visits always brought her joy, especially when she arrived with treats from Trader Joe’s.

She is survived by her daughters, Andrea and Susanne Dunn; her son-in-law, Devin Johnston; her grandchildren, Clyde and Hazel Johnston; her son-in law Ben Kostival; her sister, Sharon Kelly; her sister-in-law, Ann Kelly; her nephews, Greg and Brett Kelly, and their children; her sister-in-law by marriage, Carolyn Dunn; her nephew and niece, James Dunn and Susan Dunn, and their spouses and children. She was predeceased by her parents, Clifton and Rebecca “Betty” (Hancock) Kelly, and by her brother, Richard “Dick” Kelly, as well as her first husband, Stephen Dunn and her second husband, Tom Coder.

In her honor, donations may be made to Best Friends Animal Sanctuary, 5001 Angel Canyon Road, Kanab, UT 84741, or to a local animal shelter of your choice.