Mary Hollern Coleman

Mary Regina “Jean” Hollern Coleman, 93, of Midland , MD passed from this life to her eternal reward on January 28, 2021 , due to complications from Covid-19, at Sterling Care Ass isted Living in Frostburg, MD. S he was blessed to have family by her side as she passed.

Born July 20, 1927 in Altoona, PA, Jean was the daughter of the late John M. and Esther Marie (Roney) Hollern. Jean was preceded in death by her husband, Hugh J. “Whiz” Coleman in 1973 and her beloved son-in-law Tim Smith in 2008, as well as h er siblings: Betty Ann Hollern, Esther Tabone , Jack Hollern, Mary Lou Mitter , Be rnice Atkinson, and Leo Hollern; and her in - laws: Steve Tabone , Carol Hollern, Bobby Mitter , Dennis Perrin, Ed Atkinson, Doris Hollern, Pat Hollern , John and Alice Coleman, and Mary and Joe Harrison.

The Hollern family lived in Altoona until Jean was a junior in high school and her father took a job in Cumberland . T he family settled in Midland and Jean began working at the Kelly Springfield Tire Company immediately after graduating f rom Beall High School in 1945. She met and married Whiz in 1948, and they had four daughters: Mary Ann, Rose, Patty, and Jackie. F ollowing her husband’s death, she worked at the University of Maryland Cooperative Extension Service until retirement.

Jean was very active in St. Joseph’s Church in many roles , including as a member of the Parish Council and the Sodality of St. Joseph, and she taught religious education for many y ears. In later years, she was a member of the Catholic Daughters of St. Peter’s Church in Westernport. Jean was awarded the Archdi ocesan Medal of Honor in 1992. She was honored to have been selected to meet and have an audience with Pope John Paul II and receive Holy Communion from him at the mass he celebrated in Baltimore in 1995.

She was a life member of the Midland Democrat Club and the Family Community Education Club of Frostburg . She loved playing bingo and bowling and was a long-time member of the Early Bird League at Sherwood Lanes in Frostburg . Traveling, whether with family or her circle of friends, was a favorite pastime, and she enjoyed trips to Ireland and Hawaii. Jean also traveled to welcome each of her 11 grandch ildren when they arrived , whether cross-country, or just down the road.

Jean was known as the Matriarch of the Hollern family , and she loved planning and being a part of the annual reunion , a tradition for over 65 years . Being the oldest of her siblings, she took her responsib ilities to care for them seriously , throughout her entire life.

She is survived by her daughters : Mary Ann Welter and h usband Greg, Rose Marie Smith, Patty Trexler and husband Roger, an d Jackie Wilt and husband Bob. Also surviving are her grandchildren : Jeremy Welter and Anne Blackwell, Joshua Welter and Elena Antsiferova , Ruth Welter, Andrew and Megan Welter, Elizabeth Welter and Jean Paul Zephi r , Eric and Gina Smith, Dani and Tim Laupert, Adam and Rachel Trexler , Justin Trexler, Brian Trexler, Rachel Wilt , and Abby Wilt; as well as 12 great-grandchildren . She i s also survived by her siblings : Elaine Perrin, Judy Pol and and husband Jim, and Paul Hollern ; and many nieces, nephews, and the extended Hollern clan.

The family would like to extend appreciation to her caregivers at Sterling who compassionately cared for her since 2015 , but most especially during the pan demic. The kindness and care extended to her will be forever remembered and cherished.

M emorial donations may be made to St. Joseph’s Church, 44 E. Main Street, Frostburg, MD 21532. Due to the ongoing pandemic, the family will have a private burial. A Memorial Mass will be celebrated at a later date when it is safe to gather, reminisce, and raise a glass to a long life well-lived, full of family, love, laughter, and service to others.

Arrangements are being handled by Wilhelm-Eakin Funeral Home, P.A. in Midland, MD. Con dolence messages may be left at www.wilhelmeakin.com .