Mari Lynn “Marti” Coffin, 86, passed away peacefully in Atlanta, Georgia, on May 21, 2026.
Born in South Dakota in Oct. 1939, Marti was the youngest of nine children. At the age of 18, she courageously left home in pursuit of new opportunities, setting her sights on California and a brighter future.
While in California, she met and married her first husband. Together they had one son, Hughe, before separating in the late 1960s. Following this chapter of her life, Marti met and later married the love of her life, Jim Coffin. Their marriage spanned 46 devoted years, filled with partnership, laughter, and shared purpose, until Jim’s passing in 2015. Together they raised their son Mike and built a life grounded in commitment and mutual respect.
Marti enjoyed a distinguished professional career, holding management and senior leadership roles across multiple states, including Illinois, Ohio, Tennessee, South Carolina, and Georgia. Her work with organizations such as IBM, Singer Corporation, Touche Ross, the South Carolina Chamber of Commerce, and Evans, Porter, Bryan reflected her drive, intelligence, and leadership.
Beyond her professional accomplishments, Marti was someone who valued staying active in both mind and body. She had a passion for gardening and took great pride in transforming and maintaining the landscapes of her homes over the years. She cherished a small but deeply trusted circle of friends and, while she tended to keep her inner world private, she always welcomed good conversation…especially when shared over a glass of chardonnay.
Marti had a deep compassion for animals and cared for many cats and dogs throughout her lifetime. Her kindness extended to adopting stray cats, particularly in her beloved Fairhope, Alabama, a place she considered her favorite on earth.
She is survived by her two sons, who carry forward her strength and independent spirit.
In accordance with her wishes, Marti will be laid to rest alongside her late husband, with her ashes to be spread at his burial site in a veterans’ cemetery.
Marti will be remembered for her resilience, independence, quiet warmth, and the life she built on her own terms. She leaves behind a legacy of strength, loyalty, and enduring love.
