“There are some that bring a light so bright to the world, that even after they have gone the light still remains”
Barbara Emadi-Coffin passed away peacefully at Douglas Macmillan Hospice in Stoke-on-Trent on the 29th of May, 2026, after surviving breast cancer for 5 years. She was born on the 3rd of December 1958, to Frances and Kenneth Coffin of Bay Village, Ohio, United States.
Barbara attended Harvard and Radcliffe Colleges for her bachelor’s studies, joining only the third class there to admit women undergraduates. Along with completing a degree in Social Anthropology, she joined the inaugural Women’s Ice Hockey Team.
Graduate studies took her to England in 1984. She earned an MA degree in Political Philosophy at the University of Sussex and a PhD in International Relations and Political Economy at the same university. She was awarded The Fulbright Scholarship to finance her studies as a recognition of her academic performance. During her PhD studies, she taught Politics at the University of Sussex, and once her studies were complete she was offered a job at the University of Wolverhampton. Finally she was appointed as a lecturer in International Relations at the University of Staffordshire, and retired as principal lecturer in 2020. Her career encompassed lecturing, community engagement and research and partnership management. As part of her later work in partnerships, she traveled extensively to China and Vietnam, which she enjoyed greatly.
Barbara met Mehrdad Emadi at the University of Sussex in 1984. They moved to Stoke-on-Trent in 1988 and married on the 11th of August 1989 surrounded by family and friends. They have two sons, Kian and Sassan Emadi-Coffin.
Though busy with work and raising a family, Barbara and Mehrdad made time to travel widely, including visits to Europe, many British Cycling events, and holidays with family and friends back in the U.S. Barbara also volunteered as a commissaire for British Cycling, and fondly supported the Newcastle Track Cycling Association. She was a passionate advocate for human rights, social justice, and the environment. The flowers and the birds in their garden were a continual source of joy to her, despite ongoing skirmishes with backyard badgers.
Barbara was preceded in death by her parents Kenneth and Frances. She is survived by her husband Mehrdad Emadi; their two sons, Kian and Sassan, and Sassan’s wife, Jessica Emadi-Cork. She is also survived by her two sisters, Susan and Nancy and Nancy’s husband, Omar Mohammad, and by nephews Nizar Mohammad and Yazan Mohammad; and life-long college friend Amy Gould.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to The Trussell Trust Foodbank
The celebration of Barbara’s life will be held at the Unitarian Meeting House in Newcastle-under-Lyme (ST5 2UA), on Saturday the 13th of June. Arrival is from 10.30am, with the service to begin at 11:00. Everyone is invited to stay for light refreshments and to share their memories of Barbara after the service. Barbara’s wish was for this to be a celebration of her life, please dress as you feel comfortable.
I am so glad I met you and your family while taking care of your mom. You and your sisters were very nice to me as a care giver for your mom. I am sure you will be missed. RIP Barbara.
Your friend Jeannie
Jeannie, thank you so much for your kind note. You’ve been such a warm friend to our family. Lots of love,
RIP Barbara, a truly wonderful person, who I’ll always remember and be grateful to have met. I’d have never gained my Masters Degree without the help of Barbara, she fought my corner from day one to get into the course and had the patience, knowledge and skill which supported me all the way.
Barbara and I became close friends in second grade. While our paths took us in very different directions, when we reconnected in 2014 it was like no time had passed at all. I’ll forever treasure our childhood years and the text conversations talking about our lives so many years later. My sincere condolences to her sons and husband whom she always spoke so highly of.
To the Emadi and Coffin families,
I am so sorry to hear of your loss. Barabara was a good friend in high school where she was even more politically liberal than me when many of our classmates were more center right. Then, when we were both in grad school, I always appreciated that Barb hosted me in her apartment when i was running my first Boston Marathon. She made it a festive weekend by introducing me to all her friends.
My wife Susan and I enjoyed playing St. Barnabas bridge with her mom Fran and dad Ken. Unfortunately, like our moms, Fran died from dementia.
Three years ago on a trip to the U.K., we enjoyed a day trip visit Emadi, Barb and be introduced to her cycling son Kieran. We particularly enjoyed the monkey park where the monkeys had free rein to roam in a multi-acre enclosure.
May Barb rest in peace.
Rich Oldrieve
Rich, our families have been connected for a very long time. We all miss Barbara terribly. Thanks for your recollections.
Sending deepest condolences from all of us here at the Unitarian Meeting House. Barbara was a highly regarded friend to the congregation.
Jacky Heraty, Chair & Lay Service Leader.
Dear Mehrdad and family(Sassan & Kian),
May you find peace in the memories you shared with Barbara. She was a wonderful soul and will always live in my memory. May the love and support of friends comfort you in this difficult time.
Bless her soul!
Morteza Khalili(Vancouver, Canada)
I am so sorry to hear of Barbara’s death. Her brightness shone out and is still capable of lifting me on a dull day. I am so sorry to think I will never see her smile again. My deepest condolences to all nearest and dearest. Ruth and Ian (OMH) xxx
Barbara, I owe you so much – more than you realise. Teaching along side you and collaborating with you on course design brought a new, expanded dimension to my career. I was very lucky to come along when I did, joining your aim of strengthening communities on the ground. It was a wonderful, productive time for me thanks to you, a time never to be forgotten.. Teaching became rewarding again.
So very sorry to hear we have lost Barbara. She was so very lovely and full of life. We will hold her in our hearts forever.
Ruth and Ian (OMH)
From a very young age my father gave me the nickname of advocate, as I was always defending friends and family members who were being wronged.
But only dear Barbara ever played that role for me – and that more than once. Perhaps, like others, she did not assume that I was strong enough to not need defending. Or perhaps simply because her sense of justice did not allow her to remain silent.
Almost always our positions on matters related to International Relations and to justice were the same. She could be trusted to see realities as they were – and still to care, and to react with wisdom. I will never forget her.
My thoughts are with Mehrdad, Kian, Sassan and Barbara’s sisters.
May the memory of her care and kindness be a source of strength for you all.
I have just returned from my 45th Harvard reunion, and I was deeply saddened to learn of Barb’s passing. I met her during my first few days of school as a freshman, and have many fond memories of our time there together. I even have a few pictures of Barb, from both freshman and senior years, that I’d be very happy to share to anyone who is interested. May her memory be a blessing.
RIP Barbara and condolances to your family.
This wonderful woman gave me an opportunity when I was a total wreck. I hope I fulfilled her faith in me.
Dear Mehrdad, Kian and Sassan,
I am so very sorry to have learnt today the sad news of Barbara’s death; even more sorry to have only today learnt about her illness. Barbara was a wonderful woman with a strong sense of justice and equality. I liked her immensely as a friend and a colleague at Staffordshire. She was such a positive and enthusiastic person that made any conversation with her as really happy experience. Although I had not seen her for several years, I still remember last few times that we came across each other and had a good chat about the challenges facing both of us at the University where she contributed so much.
Please accept Monica’s and my hear-gelt condolences. Our thoughts are with you all and we wish you patience; only time will heal the wound of loss. What will survive for ever will be the memories of good times and the pleasures she brought to your lives. As they say in Persian, her place will always remain empty.
This is such sad news – Barbara was my colleague at university, but also a delightful pal – always interested in life and in others. I remember attending the World Track Cycling championships in Berlin and having the treat of visiting a Persian restaurant with Barabara, Mehrdad, Kian and Sassan. Never would I have experienced this without them. She was so proud of ‘her boys’ and treated everyone with love and kindness xx