In Memory of Coralee G. “Coky” Humphreys

Obituary

The family regrets announcing the passing of Coralee G. “Coky” Humphreys on August 2nd, 2023 after a brief illness, surrounded by family and loved ones. She is survived by her husband Hugh, her children Brett, Alex and Lee, her seven brilliant and beautiful grandchildren, and legions upon legions of people who in some small way – a meal, a hug, a laugh – received a portion of the love that she put into the world.

She was born to Clifton and Leora Gerrish on July 9, 1948, in Waterville, Maine. She grew up in Bangor, Maine, spending summers at the family’s camp on Craig Pond. She attended Bangor High School, graduating in 1966. At Grace Methodist Church in Bangor, she met the love of her life, Hugh C. Humphreys, a Lieutenant stationed at nearby Dow Air Force Base. Nine months later on Sept 15, 1967, they were married in a military wedding.

In 1970, after serving in the Air Force, the couple moved back to the Humphreys family farm in New Hartford, NY. They have worked and resided on the farm for over fifty years. Together they raised three children, H. Brett (born 1969), Alex B. (born 1973) and Lee M. (born 1977). Coky dedicated her life to service: to her family, to her church and to her community. For 53 years Coky was an active member in the First United Methodist Church of New Hartford. She was a president of United Methodist Women and served her church in many ways, from teaching in Vacation Bible School to participating in a clown ministry. Most especially, Coky helped to prepare and serve countless church dinners with her dear friends Audrey Percival and Jean Roy with whom she is undoubtedly preparing – and enjoying – a heavenly feast right now.

Coky served her community in dozens and dozens of other ways. At her children’s schools, she was active in PTO and PTA, serving as an officer both locally and at the state level of PTA. She led or participated in Cooking Clubs, Book Clubs, and her neighborhood Women’s Club . She was active in the Sauquoit Valley Garden Club for over 50 years. She acted in plays put on by both Players of Utica and Spring Farm Cares in Clinton.

Most of all, Coky served her community by feeding it. For fifteen years, she worked as meal coordinator at Hope House in Utica. To raise money for Hope House, she co-invented and bottled a hot sauce called WHOA Sauce (Where Hope Overcomes Adversity). She launched and ran her own catering company, Coky’s Catering. She won a cooking award from the Utica Daily Press and had one of her recipes printed in a national magazine. She hosted innumerable dinner parties and shared recipes widely. The birthday cakes she baked for her grandchildren were legendary.

Coky gave wonderful hugs. She once acted in an off-(off-)Broadway play. She loved to play games and twice she got a 28-point hand in cribbage. Not only did she have a stud bull named after her, but she has a lioness named after her as well, a real one. She and her grandchildren all got to hold Coky the lion when it was a cub at the Utica Zoo. She loved to travel; she visited all 50 states, and went abroad to Europe including all the way out into Russia. Her favorite places in the world were Maine, Florida and Alaska. She loved Christmas with all of her heart and her family with every fiber of her being.

Besides her husband, she leaves behind her children, H. Brett and Samantha Merton, Alex and Martha Humphreys and Lee and Jeff Niederdeppe. She leaves seven grandchildren, Gweneth, Elinor, Tess, George, Lee, Ruth and Charles, and a brother, Don Gerrish and his wife Joan. She is predeceased by her parents, her brother Charles and sister Madeline, and her sister-in-law Helena.

The family would like to thank the nurses and staff at St Elizabeth Hospital and Abraham House for their care and concern.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations be given to First United Methodist Church of New Hartford, Hope House or the Utica Zoo.

Calling hours will be held on Thursday, August 17th from 4pm to 7pm and on Friday, August 18th from 4pm to 7pm at Friedel, Williams and Edmunds Funeral Home in New Hartford. A celebration of her life will be held at 11:00 Saturday, August 19th at First United Methodist Church of New Hartford.

Online messages of sympathy may be left at: www.fwefh.com