2021/04/obit-Coggins-Elizabeth-16x20-Canvas--193x300.jpgElizabeth “Beth” Darroch Coggins, 62, of Prosper, Texas, passed away on April 13, surrounded by family, following a 17-month battle with colon cancer.
Beth was born in Minden, Neb., on Nov. 25, 1958, to the Rev. and Mrs. James P. Darroch. At the time, the Rev. Darroch was serving as pastor of the First Presbyterian Church in Axtell, Neb.
Beth graduated from Haddon Township High School, Haddon Township, N.J., in 1977. In 1981, Beth earned a BS in home economics education from Hood College in Frederick, Md.
Beth married Lt. Kenneth “KC” Coggins, USN, on July 25, 1987. The couple was married by the bride’s father at Logan Memorial Presbyterian Church in Audubon, N.J., where the Rev. Darroch was the pastor.
After college, Beth worked as a home economics teacher before transitioning to industry as a trainer for an insurance company and a defense contractor. She met her future husband in Athens, Greece, in December 1985 when both were there on business.
Beth was the perfect Navy wife, able to juggle the demands of raising children and managing a household, single-handedly, while her husband was deployed. Over 33 years of marriage, the couple lived in four countries and six states. Beth stayed home until her youngest started school and then substitute taught at her daughters’ schools. Once her eldest daughter started college, Beth returned to the classroom on a full-time basis and served as a special education teacher at Griffin Middle School in The Colony, Texas. She returned to substitute teaching, this in time in Prosper, Texas, when her daughters had finished college.
Beth was an active member of many military spouse organizations during Navy, NATO and embassy assignments in the U.S. and Europe. She was a very talented knitter and attended many seminars to constantly sharpen her skills. During overseas assignments, Beth enjoyed acquiring many unique and distinctive decorations and furnishings for the family home.
In 2017, Beth and family purchased Green Briar Ranch off North Pagosa Boulevard as a second home and family vacation magnet. Beth loved getting away to Pagosa Springs and enjoyed nothing more than knitting in front of the fire and looking at the exquisite view of the San Juans. She especially enjoyed hosting family and friends to Green Briar Ranch, and exposing them to new adventures such as snowmobiling on Wolf Creek Pass or walking along the Piedra River canyon. Beth enjoyed a last trip to Pagosa Springs during the final three weeks of her life.
Beth is survived by: husband CDR Kenneth C. Coggins, USN (Ret.), of Prosper, Texas; daughter Kristina and husband Dan Heck, of Colorado Springs; daughter Julie and husband Lt. Tom Dunlap, USN, of Virginia Beach; brother Doug Darroch and wife Tracee, of Shamong, N.J.; brother Greg, of Westlake, Ohio; and sister Alison and husband Rick Schwarz, of Mount Laurel, N.J.
A Celebration of Life service is planned June 26 at 1 p.m. at Logan Memorial Presbyterian Church in Audubon, N.J. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to “Fight Colorectal Cancer” at https://champions-of-hope.funraise.org/. In the”Donate to” drop-down menu, select “Research Support.” Online condolence messages can be posted to: https://www.dignitymemorial.com/obituaries/10153781.
