Kay Coin Obituary

Kay B. Coin

September 7, 1935 - October 25, 2023

Kay Annette Bonebrake Coin, 88, longtime resident of Rock Island, IL, passed away Wednesday, October 25, 2023, due to complications from pneumonia.

Funeral services are 10:00 AM Tuesday, October 31, 2023, at St. George Greek Orthodox Church, Rock Island. Visitation is 4:00 to 7:00 PM Monday, October 30, 2023, at Wheelan-Pressly Funeral Home and Crematory, 3030 7th Avenue, Rock Island, where a Trisagion (Prayer) service will be conducted at 6:30 PM. Burial will be in Rock Island Memorial Park Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Trinity College of Nursing & Health Sciences/Kay B. Coin Scholarship Fund, St. George Greek Orthodox Church, and Rock Island Public Library.

Kay was born on September 7, 1935 in Clinton, IA, to Frank A. Bonebrake and Flossie (Rebelsky) Bonebrake. She had two older brothers, Frank Conrad and Frank David Bonebrake, and one younger brother, Frank Steven Bonebrake. She married Stanley H. Coin of Rock Island, IL, on September 28, 1958.

She is survived by her children: Connie (Jim) Contes, Tempe, AZ; Cathy Coin, Chicago; Christine (Randy) Smith, Rock Island; and Harry (Paula) Coin, Moline. She has four grandchildren: Laura (Yoni) Fix, Nick (Julie) Brockelman, James (fiancee Jenna) Contes, and Madison Smith. She has two great-grandsons: Hudson Perry Fix, and Zevik Yaron Fix. She also has three additional grandchildren and fifteen great-grandchildren from the blended Contes family. She was preceded in death by her parents; her two older brothers; and her husband of 65 years, Stanley, who died only 18 days before her.

Kay graduated in 1953 from Clinton High School in Clinton, IA. She graduated as a Registered Nurse in 1956, from Moline Public Hospital, School of Nursing, in Moline Illinois. Kay went on to practice nursing for Dr. Ben K. Williamson for three years while also working part-time as a medical-surgical nurse at Moline Public Hospital.

She married the longtime love of her life, Stan, and started a family. While raising four children, Kay found time for an abundance of volunteer opportunities to serve her community where she could make a difference. She was a member of the Frances Willard Elementary School PTA for 13 years, serving as president for three years. As her children grew up, she continued serving in the PTSAs at the Junior High and High School levels at both Franklin and Edison Junior High Schools and at Rock Island High School. Even after Kay's children graduated high school and went to college, she continued to serve on the RI-Milan Council of PTA/PTSA for 11 more years, holding positions of President, Vice President, and Treasurer. At the college level, she became a member of the University of Illinois Mothers' Association and served on its Board of Directors and as President of its Rock Island County Chapter for three years.

After Kay's mother passed away of a heart attack, the Rock Island County Heart Association became very dear to her, ultimately serving as President, Vice President, and Secretary and joining the Illinois Heart Association Board of Directors.

Kay loved utilizing her nursing degree. She was the secretary for eight years of the Rock Island Visiting Nurses Association, managing the "Nearly New Shop." Kay was chosen as Mari Gras Queen by the Rock Island Junior Board. She also utilized her nursing degree by becoming a Red Cross/PTA School nurse volunteer for eight years. Kay also began the Kay B. Coin Trinity Scholarship Fund for nursing students and spearheaded, along with her husband, a multi-million-dollar fundraising campaign for Trinity Medical Center.

Kay served on the Board of Directors of the Rock Island Y.W.C.A. and the Youth Guidance Council. She also was actively involved with the United Way of Rock Island-Scott Counties and the Rock Island Botanical Gardens. She was proud to be on the Board of Directors of the Rock Island Public Library, meeting First Lady Laura Bush who headed the Foundation for Public Libraries of the United States. Kay's church, St. George Greek Orthodox Church, was of great importance to her, being a member of the Philoptochos Society, organizing the silent auctions for the Greek Festival, heading up the wine tasting events, and organizing wonderful and unique outings for the Senior Citizens Group. She, along with her husband, were members of Leadership 100 of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America.

Kay deeply loved her immediate and extended family. She was passionate about world travels and visited over 30 countries, taking trips with her husband and each of her children, leaving all with wonderful memories. Kay was known for throwing sizable fun parties that forged everlasting memories. She enjoyed classical music, crossword puzzles, bible study, playing bridge, and the arts especially the theater. Kay truly treasured her friendships, serving others, and her nursing profession. She was a fun woman who always seemed to make an appearance on the Jumbotron at practically every sporting event she attended. She definitely lived her life to the fullest.

As a beloved wife, mother, and friend, we rejoice in the extraordinary life she was privileged to live, and we feel grateful and blessed to have been loved by such an amazing woman. In Kay's memory, please share a laugh or tell a story about Kay. Give hugs to those you love. That would be one of her greatest joys and legacy.

Online condolences may be shared with Kay's family at www.wheelanpressly.com.

Published by The Rock Island Dispatch Argus on Oct. 28, 2023.