Jane Coleman, of Mattapoisett, MA and Boston’s Back Bay, died early Sunday morning, July 19, 2026 in the same way she lived – with grace, strength, quiet faith, and a singular devotion to the well-being and continued happiness of her family and friends, particularly, her greatest love, Cornelius (Connie) Coleman.
Jane was born in Everett, MA. She was raised principally by her mother (who worked outside the home as a professional wedding dress seamstress after her husband died) and her proud Norwegian grandmother, amidst her many boisterous aunts, uncles, and cousins. From her mother and grandmother, Jane inherited a strong will and can-do approach to everything she did. Jane graduated from Melrose High School in 1958, remaining close throughout her life to her high school friends.
In 1960, at UMass Amherst, Jane met and fell in love with Connie. Their first date was on his birthday. They married in November 1961 and together built a life full of joy starting in Springfield MA and winding through Longmeadow MA, Wellesley MA, Arlington VA, Omaha NE, Mercer Island WA, Belvedere CA, Pittsburg PA, and Summit NJ, with four children arriving along the way. They lived in Summit for over 23 years, establishing many lifelong friendships. In 2000, they returned to Boston to be closer to their grandchildren.
In 1981, with her oldest headed to college and youngest headed to kindergarten, Jane decided to put years of buying, remodeling, and selling homes to good use. She built her new real estate career in Summit, NJ with the same energy and genuine love of people that had made her family’s journey all around the country seamless. Jane sold real estate in Summit and environs for over 20 years, as a broker first for Schlott Realtors and then for Coldwell Banker Real Estate. She was frequently her company’s number one real estate agent in NJ. She was known for her tenacity and excellent business sense, graciousness, and integrity. Through personal example, Jane taught her children the importance of cheerful hard work, organization, and an enthusiasm for building relationships with the wide range of people they’d be privileged to meet.
One constant of Jane and Connie’s geographically adventurous path has been Mattapoisett. Jane first came to Mattapoisett in 1959 with her UMass freshman year roommate, Jean Alden. In 1967, Connie and Jane rented a tiny cottage at the end of Pease’s Point. Except when out west, they returned to Mattapoisett each summer, ultimately building a home. Mattapoisett has been a special gathering spot for the family for decades, first for Jane and Connie’s growing family and soon too for Jane’s parents, Connie’s parents, siblings, cousins and their families, and ultimately for many members of their extended family. Jane and Connie spent increasing amounts of time in Mattapoisett from 2000 and were so appreciative of their wonderful neighbors and friends, including at the Bay Club, where they were charter members. This August, the family will again descend on Mattapoisett.
Jane is survived by her beloved husband of almost 65 years, Cornelius J. Coleman (Mattapoisett and Boston, MA), her four children — Debb Coleman Diggins (Tim Diggins) (Boston, MA), Elizabeth Coleman (Mattapoisett, MA), Jennifer Coleman Murphy (Matt Murphy) (Hingham, MA), and John Coleman (Katherine Shafer Coleman) (Chevy Chase, MD), her seven grandchildren – Caroline and Luke Diggins, Christopher and Catherine Murphy, and Georgiana, Margaret, and Johnny Coleman, her cousins, and many treasured in-laws and friends.
A Mass celebrating Jane’s life will be held on Monday, July 27, 2026, at 11 am at St. Gabriel’s Church, Marion, MA.
