Ethel Coleman Dessaint's Obituary
Ethel Coleman Dessaint, lovingly known as “Faux Pas” to her family, 96, resident of Miami, FL, passed away in the company of her family on November 3, 2012 in Miami, FL.
Ethel was born December 5, 1916, in Birkenhead Wallasey, England. Her parents Arthur F. Coleman and Margaret M. Coleman and sister Margaret K. Coleman predeceased her.
In 1945, Ethel married Louis M. Dessaint in Miami and enjoyed their life together for 46 years.
Mrs. Dessaint is survived by her son Louis Coleman Dessaint, daughter-in-law Virginia McDougal Dessaint, grandchildren Louis Coleman Dessaint, Jr. and Lucretia Davis McDougal Dessaint of Vero Beach and Miami, FL, as well as many relatives in Spearman, TX and London, England.
Mrs. Dessaint moved with her family to the United States in 1919 and lived in Hendersonville, NC until her marriage and relocation to Miami, FL in 1945. She was a graduate of Peace College, Raleigh, NC. She was an original founding board member of the Miami Museum of Science and held various other positions in the community including: President of the University of Miami Women's Guild, President of the Miami Museum Patrons and Co-Chair (with close friend Maria Clara Weintraub) of the Orange Bowl Fashion Show. She was also a member of P.E.O. where she enjoyed many friends of different generations and a member of Saint Thomas Church where she attended church for over 52 years.
Ethel Dessaint had been a longtime member of Coral Gables’ Riviera Country Club and Blowing Rock, NC’s Blowing Rock Country Club, where she and her late husband were summer residents for over 47 years.
Her family, grandchildren and her extended family (via her daughter-in-law Virginia McDougal) brought Ethel Dessaint much enjoyment over the last 26 years. Some of Ethel’s greatest memories included travels with her husband throughout Europe and the United States. She was very proud to say: “I’ve visited every state in the United States except Alaska and Hawaii.”
As one her doctors said in the last few days about her life, “Ethel Dessaint is an elegant lady who is always impeccably dressed.”
A memorial service will be held at St. Thomas Episcopal Church, 5690 North Kendall Drive, Coral Gables, FL on Friday, November 16, 2012, at 4pm.
In lieu of flowers, the family of Ethel Dessaint has asked that donations be made in the name of South Miami Hospital Foundation, in support of the Center for Excellence in Nursing at South Miami Hospital. Donations should be mailed to: South Miami Hospital Foundation, 6250 Sunset Drive Suite 204 Miami, FL 33143.
For further information, please contact:
Van Orsdel Kendall Chapel
305/279-6644
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