Obituary of Colette Ann Coolbaugh

Colette Ann Coolbaugh, Esq., of Lawrenceville, NJ, passed away to the embrace of God on February 18, 2025 at the age of 81 years.

She was predeceased by her parents Dr. and Mrs. Edwin Patterson Coolbaugh, and her elder brother Edwin Alden Coolbaugh.  She is survived by her nephew Edwin Coolbaugh, II and his wife Misha of Spencer, MA; her sister-in-law Susan Coolbaugh of Portsmouth, RI.

Colette was a graduate of Brown University (Pembroke College-Class of 1965) and earned her Juris Doctorate from Rutgers School of Law-Newark.  She was employed as a staff attorney by the New Jersey Superior Courts, first in Bergen County then in Mercer County.

Entering the legal profession at a time when not all professional doors were open for women, Colette was a tireless advocate for women’s equality and rights.  She was passionately engaged in local civic causes and was a member of the Lawrence Township Historical Society, the Mercer County Republican Women’s Federation, the Lawrence Township Republican Club, and the Mayflower Society.  Colette had stood as a candidate for the Mercer County Surrogate and in 2011 ran for Lawrence Township Council.  She also worked as a strong advocate for Pay-to-Play reform (anti-corruption) laws in Mercer County.

In her vacation time Colette loved traveling the world aboard cruise ships together with her many friends and colleagues, and she developed a keen understanding of our world’s people and cultures.  As we bid farewell to Colette, our respect for her and her devotion to justice, fairness and understanding shall always live on in our hearts.

Eulogies and fond memories for Colette will begin on Wednesday, February 26, 2025 at 3:00PM at Poulson & Van Hise Funeral Directors, 650, Lawrence Road, Lawrenceville, NJ 08648.

Visitation will be held on Wednesday afternoon from 2-3PM at the funeral home.

Entombment will be held privately.