Candace “Candee” Joy Coon, age 74, passed away much too soon on December 11th, 2021. I was there to hold her hand as she left us. She was at the Madras hospital, the one place she didn’t want to be because that is where my dad passed away. But I am very happy she was there, as the ENTIRE staff was just amazing! They made her comfortable, feel cared for, and were there for me and others who visited, with kind words or were just there, being supportive.

She was born November 29, 1947, in Myrtle Point OR, to the late John and Virginia Shilling. Her brother, the late John “Butch” Shilling, came along a few years later. She graduated from Coquille High School in 1966, married the late Otho “Dale” Coon in March of 1968, and daughter Sheri was adopted in 1971. After marrying Dale, they moved from Coos Bay to Bandon, and spent many years there. She leaves behind her daughter Sheri and her grand puppy Finn, her 4-H “son” Kyle Rood, along with 3 stepdaughters, Sharon Korzan, Kathy Smith, and Susie Wentworth; niece Jana Toney and her husband Chris, and nephew Jay Shilling; great niece Kyla Toney and great nephew Brenden Toney. Over the last few years, she had been enjoying reconnecting with her stepsister Linda Fouke and stepbrother Rudy Clingings (Oh, the stories Mom used to tell about Rudy and Uncle Butch!!). Also, Mom and Dad’s best friends from Bandon, Jackie and Bob Dotson, who have always been like 2nd parents to me. There are also many grandchildren, great grandchildren, cousins, and other family relations, friends, and classmates that miss her dearly. As I write this and think of all the people in her life, that loved her and kept in contact with her, it’s just breathtaking. She was the one that kept track of everyone’s birthdays and anniversaries, sent out dozens of Christmas cards each year. She loved hearing updates about what was happening in their lives, loved getting a phone call or even just a text message. She loved “keeping in touch:”

When people talk to me about my mom, they use words like giving, warm, caring, and dedicated. As a child, I remember her being a teacher’s aide at my grade school. I remember one particular day we were working on vocabulary, and I was stuck on the word breakfast, and I just couldn’t get it! She was so patient! She loved working with kids of all ages, and went back to college and finished her Early Childhood Education degree from SWOCC in Coos Bay, an accomplishment she was very proud of. She worked at the Metolius Elementary School, when my parents moved to Central Oregon in 2001. She was there for many years, as an Educational Assistant. She also worked at The Kid’s Club in Madras as one of their Program Directors, and that is where she retired from. There were many times where we’d be out shopping, and we’d hear a “there’s Mrs Coon!”. I have heard from parents and teachers alike that have told me how much my mom meant to them, or their child. That is just so touching and heartwarming to hear. She would have been so honored to know that.

Some of my favorite memories of her come from 4-H. She had been in 4-H as a child, and my grandma had been a leader, and then my mom became a leader and introduced me to that world. Our 4-H club was one of the largest in the county, and it was because of our awesome leaders! My mom, the late Kay Vincent, Susan Fox, John “Butch” Shilling, and others. She touched so many people and gave so much of her time. Again, the amount of patience she always displayed was amazing, because I was one of her biggest procrastinators! She always had a smile, loved to tease, and laugh. The 4-H family we had was huge, and she was still in close contact with many of them until she passed.

She was a very talented cake decorator! My cousins and I had THE best birthday cakes growing up, not only did they taste amazing, but they were always so cool and fun. Some of our favorites were Barbie, Star Wars, and Garfield. Besides those, she also did beautiful wedding cakes, for family and friends.

Everything was handmade, the roses, the ribbons, none of that fondant stuff you see today. Just beautiful, hand crafted with love cakes. She was always asked, or volunteered like I mentioned before, to do something for bake sales, anniversaries, birthdays…you name it, she probably made a cake for it!

My parents never missed a band concert, choir concert, or a football or basketball game to support me as a cheerleader. There were many times I’d come home from school, and tell her, oh by the way, I volunteered you to make cupcakes for the bake sale…tomorrow. Of course, I’d get the eye roll, but she always helped, no matter what. She was just someone I knew I could count on, and I know others felt that too. You needed a hand, you reached out to my parents.

Things I see and make me think of her…sunflowers and yellow roses, her favorite flowers. Tigger, from Winnie the Pooh, as he was her favorite character. When I hear a Garth Brooks song, I think of the time we saw him in concert. Her favorite though, was George Strait, she thought he was pretty handsome! She loved a warm, fuzzy blanket to cuddle with, and her cat Toby loved that too. She loved to bake but blamed it on my dad because he was the one with the sweet tooth. She enjoyed knitting and crocheting, tending her garden and roses, watching a good movie, reading John Grisham novels, and just being my mom. She is missed every day, every minute.

A Celebration of Life will be planned soon. The family request no flowers.                                                                                                                                                                                                                        In lieu of flowers, consider a donation to the Oregon 4-H Foundation