Zinnie Kay Coleman, 80

Zinnie passed at first light July 2, 2024, at Life Care Center of Sandpoint. She was born Oct. 16, 1943.

This was my favorite photo of my mother, she was so happy in one of her favorite places, Hawaii. She is looking at my daughter and myself as we were getting settled into the hotel, Outrigger Reef Waikiki Beach. She won this trip as part of her hard-earned efforts as a travel agent at The Travel Connection (Sandpoint) — a job she loved and was very good at. 

She started her career off at Pacific Bell in Carmicheal, Calif., in her early 20s. Retired and moved to Sandpoint in 1979. She then worked at Bonner General Hospital in the ER department and for Dr. Puffer. She purchased Delightful Diversions on the Cedar Street Bridge in 1987. What a joy for her, she loved ice cream! She made homemade ice cream and waffle cones, there would be lines out the door, all day every day in the summer and she’d stay open until she ran out! Finally, The Travel Connection. She was a traveling travel agent until her retirement. She traveled as much as she could to exotic (and not-so-exotic) locations, collecting friendships along the way. In between traveling, she would moonlight at Coldwater Creek. And as if she wasn’t busy enough, she had a food booth, Mariah’s Chuck Wagon at The Festival at Sandpoint for 15 seasons. Known for her huckleberry cheesecake, Texas brownies, potato salad and baked beans! She always had a crossword puzzle tucked in her purse, she did them in pen.

I want to hope that her favorite position of all was mother and grandmother, she excelled at both. She took good care of all of us, made sure we had enough and was always there to lend a hand. She is survived by her small but mighty family — me, Lorri, her favorite and only child (Jason Thompson), grandchildren Carrera and Tyler, brother Mike Coleman and sister Terri Dwyer.

She will be incredibly missed but we know that she is all around us. 

Family and friends are invited to sign Zinnie’s online guest book at coffeltfuneral.com 

Arrangements are under the care of Coffelt Funeral Service.