Nila Kay Coleman, an Eastern Shore real estate agent who enjoyed collecting historic Kent County memorabilia and exploring the county's back roads, died Wednesdayof gastric cancer at her Chestertown home. She was 75.
Nila Kay Stevens, the daughter of a truck driver and a homemaker, was born and raised in Rock Hall, where her family, whose ancestors were watermen and shipbuilders, had deep roots.
"Her ancestors had received a land grant of 1,000 acres in 1665, settling Stevensville and later moving across the water to Rock Hall," said her daughter, Marcia Coleman Landskroener of Millington. "She enjoyed chronicling the family history that tells a rollicking story of fortunes lost."
After graduating from Rock Hall High School in 1952, she worked briefly in Washington for the FBI, before returning to her hometown.
In 1952, she married Harold I. Coleman, and went to work helping run H&J; Coleman, his residential construction company.
After raising her children, Mrs. Coleman began working as a clerk in 1975 for the Kent County Health Department, where she remained until retiring in 2000.
She earned a real estate license and in 1993 joined the firm of Whiteley & Associates, now Champion Whiteley Realty, in Chestertown.
"Nila started her career with me, and she was just fabulous. She was so friendly and always had a big smile. We all liked her so very much," said Patsy Whiteley, manager of the real estate firm's Chestertown office.
"When she met with a new customer, they became friends for life. She was very dedicated to them," Ms. Whiteley said. "However, she was a straight shooter, and you always knew where you stood with her."
One of Mrs. Coleman's main interests was collecting material related to Kent County - specifically, the long-gone Upper Shore steamboat resorts of Tolchester, where visitors rode the Little Jumbo miniature steam railroad, and Betterton, known as "the Jewel of the Chesapeake," where vacationers enjoyed water sports, fishing, horseback riding and dancing under the summer stars.
"An avid collector, she accumulated precious keepsakes that reminded her of her ancestry and childhood, old postcards of Betterton and Rock Hall, carnival glass from the Tolchester amusement park, maritime artifacts, vintage glassware, cookbooks and Native American tools," her daughter said.
According to family members, Mrs. Coleman enjoyed displaying items from the collection in her home.
"I can tell you, she really knew Rock Hall and its history," Ms. Whiteley said.
Mrs. Coleman was an active member of the Order of the Eastern Star for more than 50 years, serving as Worthy Matron, organist and secretary for the local chapter, and as Deputy Grand Lecturer and Grand Esther for the Grand Lodge.
While serving in the role of Grand Esther, Mrs. Coleman initiated several projects to raise funds for the Shriners Hospitals for Children.
She was a member of the Chester River Shrine Club and the ladies' auxiliary of the Frank M. Jarman American Legion Post No. 36.
She was also active in the community, organizing and operating the strawberry shortcake booth during the annual Chestertown Tea Party Festival held in May, and the traditional Maryland beaten biscuit sale.
In addition to antiquing, she also enjoyed gardening, singing, genealogy and travel.
"When she was diagnosed with cancer, she was determined to still have fun," Ms. Whiteley said. "She was a real trouper."
Services were held Sunday.
In addition to her husband and daughter, she is survived by two sons, Irving Bruce Coleman of Chestertown and Steven Drew Coleman of St. Leonard; and four grandchildren.