Charleen Coffey (née Shaffer)

Charleen Coffey (née Shaffer), age 85, of Colorado Springs, passed away on December 25, 2025. Beloved wife of Albert Coffey; Mother to: Bryan, Mark, Eric (Shelly), and Amber (Brian Polaski), Proud grandmother to: Aaron (Amanda), Kristen (Matt Mayo), Logan, Juliann (Ben Colwell), Carter Polaski and Lindsay Polaski and she was eagerly awaiting the arrival of her first greatgrandchild.

In addition to Charleen’s parents, Clyde and Virginia Shaffer, she was predeceased by her two brothers, John and Neal.

Charleen met the love of her life, Albert, at the University of Colorado Boulder and lived in Denver and then Albuquerque. Their partnership became the foundation of a rich and adventurous life together. Together, Charleen and Albert built a family business in commercial beekeeping, spending summers in North Dakota and winters in Arizona for many years. Their work created a unique rhythm for their family—one filled with hard work and shared purpose. Their journey later took them to California and Indiana in the 80’s/90’s before they eventually retired to La Veta, Colorado in the early 2000s. They celebrated 66 years of marriage this past September, a testament to their deep devotion and enduring bond.\

In La Veta, they built a beautiful log home that quickly became the heart of countless family gatherings. It was a place filled with laughter, s’mores made around the chiminea, and evenings spent watching unforgettable sunsets. Charleen cherished these moments deeply, and her home became a sanctuary where memories were made, and love was always present. She gave endlessly to the people she loved. Her unwavering commitment to her family was one of her defining qualities, and she will be remembered for the warmth, steadiness, and compassion she brought to every connection in her life. She was also a gifted writer. She wrote many short stories - some fiction, others heartfelt memoirs of her early life and her years working in the bee business. Her writing was filled with humor, wit, and authenticity, capturing memories with a voice that was uniquely her own.

Charleen will be remembered for her kindness, her creativity, and the love she poured into her family. Her legacy lives on in the stories she told, the memories she created, and the lives she touched so deeply.

A Celebration of Life will be held later in 2026.