Nila Kay Coleman

Nila Kay Stevens Coleman, a local realtor who enjoyed traveling the back roads of her beloved Kent County with clients and friends, died at her Chestertown home on January 6, 2010, after a long battle with gastric cancer. She was 75. Born in Rock Hall on September 20, 1934, she was the daughter of the late, Lloyd Stevens and Daisy Hadaway Stevens. She spent much of her early childhood in Baltimore, where she rode the streetcars to Saturday matinees and art museums. She and her parents, along with her late brother, Kenny, returned to the Eastern Shore, where the Stevens family of watermen and shipbuilders have deep roots: Nila’s ancestors had received a land grant of 1,000 acres in 1665, settling Stevensville and later moving across the water to Rock Hall. She enjoyed chronicling the family history that tells a rollicking story of fortunes lost. Nila Kay graduated from Rock Hall High School in 1952 and after a brief stint working for the FBI in Washington, DC, returned to Rock Hall, where she married and raised three children. She helped run the residential contracting company, H & J Coleman, owned by her husband of 57 years, Harold. In 1975, she began working as a clerk for the Kent County Health Department, and moved to The Publick House in 1987. She retired on March 1, 2000 after 25 years of service to the State of Maryland. Meanwhile, she had earned a real estate license and was spending her weekends matching people and properties. Nila began her real estate career with Sue Tuley, and joined Whiteley & Associates (now Champion Whitely Realty) in September 1993. An avid collector, she accumulated precious keepsakes that reminded her of her ancestry and her own childhood: old postcards of Betterton and Rock Hall, carnival glass from Tolchester Amusement Park, maritime artifacts, vintage glassware, cookbooks and Native American tools. She enjoyed traveling, antiquing, singing, gardening, genealogy, sewing and spending time with family and friends, particularly her sisters of the Eastern Star. Nila was active with the Order of the Eastern Star for more than 50 years, serving as Worthy Matron, organist and secretary for the local chapter #86, and as Deputy Grand Lecturer and Grand Esther for the Grand Lodge. A natural leader and motivator, she organized many community fundraising projects-notably the Strawberry Shortcake Booth during Chestertown Tea Party and the traditional Maryland beaten biscuit sale. During her service as Grand Esther, she initiated several projects to raise funds for the Shriners Hospitals for Children. She was happiest when she was able to do good works for others, and took pride in connecting the Shriners’ network of volunteers with families of children in need of orthopedic medical care. In addition to her work with the Star, Mrs. Coleman was a member of the Frank M. Jarman American Legion Post #36 Ladies Auxiliary and was active with the Chester River Shrine Club. In addition to her husband and her Grand Family, she is survived by a daughter, Marcia Coleman Landskroener and her husband, Chris; her son, Bruce Irving Coleman and Shawn Dixon, son, Steven Drew Coleman and his wife, Laura, daughter-in-law, Cheryl Coleman and close family friend, Lynn Salvo; four grandchildren, Katie Coleman Martinez, Clay Lloyd Coleman, Hillary K. Landskroener and Steven Tyler Coleman and one great grandson, Colby Tyler Coleman. Funeral services will be held on Sunday, January 10, 2010 at 2:00 PM at the Fellows, Helfenbein & Newnam Funeral Home, P.A., 130 Speer Road, Chestertown, MD where relatives and friends may call on Saturday, January 9, 2010 between the hours of 6:00 and 8:00 PM. Interment will be in Wesley Chapel Cemetery, Rock Hall, MD. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Shriners Hospital for Children, 3551 North Broad Street, Philadelphia, PA 19140. Arrangements are by the Fellows, Helfenbein and Newnam Funeral Home, P. A., 130 Speer Road, Chestertown, MD 21620.

Nila Kay Coleman

September 20, 1934 - January 6, 2010