Dr. Barbara Ellen Emadi-Coffin
“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.
