Jessica Zoey Coffey, 46, died peacefully at her friend Neil’s home in Portland. A beautiful graveside Eulogy, delivered by Pat Schweibert of Peace House, captured the essence of Jessica’s life and spirit.
Jessica’s personal and professional life were guided by her ethics, passion and curiosity about people and the stories of their lives. She treasured connecting with people and loved learning from them.
Born in Philadelphia, where Jessica lived until she attended college at the Illinois Institute of Technology in Chicago, she was the first woman to be admitted to their Industrial Design program. She earned a Masters of Industrial Design from North Carolina State University.
Jessica was the Senior Director of Research at Fiori Product Development where she led and grew its renowned research business. Prior to Fiori, Jessica was a Professor at N.C. State and the Design Research Manager at the Center for Universal Design. She’s held design and research positions with esteemed firms including E-lab and Ziba with over a decade of experience leading global research and design programs for innovative companies such as HP, Microsoft, Pepsi, Samsung and Whirlpool. She founded and mentored a small group of researchers who conducted qualitative research programs that had global impact. Jessica founded and was a Partner in the consulting firm Teneo Studios.
She was held in high esteem by many people as an intellectual who was a gracious, kind, respectful listener and participant. Her exceptional insight and generous spirit touched friends and family throughout her life.
Jessica is the beloved daughter of Nora W. Coffey and Louis Coffey of Philadelphia, beloved brother of Macy M. Coffey of Boston, Justin S. Coffey (Megan) of Raleigh, N.C. Jessica adored her nieces, Delaney and Alice and nephew, Sydney. She shared a special close friendship with Wendi Shea, Rachael Amen and Neil. Jessica will forever live in our hearts.
Jessica requested that donations in honor of her life be made to two of her favorite charitable organizations:
Metavivor, Metastatic Cancer Awareness, a non-profit organization dedicated to increasing awareness of advanced breast cancer and equity in research and patient support. https://secure. metavivor.org/page/contribute/default
18th Avenue Peace House, where Pat Schweibert led the metastatic breast cancer support group. They were a source of information, sharing and great comfort to Jessica. www.18thavepeacehouse.org