Patricia Leh Coller
February 25, 1937 – December 7, 2023
Patricia Leh Coller, cherished wife, mother and grandmother died peacefully on Thursday, December 7, 2023 surrounded by her family. Patricia, daughter of the late Raham Schuler and Loretto Kehs Leh, was born in Pennsburg, Pennsylvania in 1937. She grew up in Kutztown, Pennsylvania. Patricia was a star athlete in high school, in nearly every sport she participated. Following her love of athletics and competition, she graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in Physical Education from Pennsylvania State University.
To say that Patricia was an active Penn Stater is an understatement: Senior Class Secretary-Treasurer; a Dormitory Officer; a member of the Officials Club, the Student Major Club, the Women’s Recreation Association, the Women’s Chorus, the Women’s Student Government Association, and the Delta Gamma Sorority. Patricia served on the Class Advisory Board in both her junior and senior years. As a member of Scrolls, the society honoring women of the senior class who exemplified outstanding character, Patricia was involved with numerous scholarship events and donations. She served on the National Hat Society Council and in the Lakonides Society, the women’s physical education honorary organization. Not surprisingly to everyone who knew her, Patricia was honored as a “Personality” in her year book at Penn State.
But, Patricia was most proud of her role as Head Cheerleader on Penn State’s cheerleading team. She relished being the cheerleader selected to cheer with the Nittany Lion Mascot. It was on the cheerleading team where Patricia Ann Leh met John Arthur Coller, the love of her life. They married on July 23, 1960.
Patricia taught high school physical education and coached many sports in Lancaster, Pennsylvania. In 1971, Patricia and John made their home in Weston, Massachusetts where they reared their four children. Patricia enjoyed working as a real estate agent for Coldwell Banker and serving as President of the Lahey Clinic Wives’ Association. She excelled at tennis and played on a state championship softball team in her thirties. However, Patricia loved being a mother above anything else. She was an active volunteer and constant presence at Weston High School during her children’s years there: serving as a WHS class mother, assisting the athletic coaches, and volunteering her time in the athletic director’s office. Always a book in hand, Patricia was an avid reader and a lover of crossword puzzles.
Patricia will always be remembered for her loyalty, her laugh and her love for others. Generous to a fault, she was truly the epitome of selflessness. Patricia is survived by her husband of 63 years, John Coller, MD, their four children and their spouses, Elizabeth “Lisa” and Christopher Bruce, MD; John “Chip” Coller Jr., PhD; Amy and Shaun Daley; and Kathleen “Katie/Kate” and Greg Ploussios. Patricia also leaves behind her twelve grandchildren, Sarah and Lauren Bruce; Ariel, Corinne, Samantha, Emily and Caitlyn Coller; Shaun, Declan and Finnegan Daley; and Owen and Jack Ploussios. Patricia is predeceased by her grandson, Harrison Coller Daley.
Family and friends may call on Tuesday, December 19, 2023 from 4:00 – 7:00 p.m. at George F. Doherty & Sons Funeral Home, 477 Washington Street, Wellesley, MA. A funeral Mass will be celebrated on Wednesday, December 20, 2023 at 12:00 p.m. at St. Julia Catholic Church, 374 Boston Post Road, Weston, MA. In lieu of flowers, gifts to help end dementia, for those who wish to make a memorial contribution, may be made in Patricia’s honor. Tribute donations can be made online at alz.org in memory of Patricia Leh Coller or by mail: Alzheimer’s Association, 301 Waverley Oaks Road, Suite 301, Waltham, MA 02452.