Paid Notice: Faith Edwards Cofer, 99, of Amagansett entered into eternal rest in Mount Pleasant, SC on Thursday, April 9, 2026.
Faith was born on June 30, 1926, in Amagansett to Herbert Nathaniel Edwards, Jr. and Gladys May Young. She had a brother, Robert Edwards, and a sister, Martha Edwards. She was raised in the Edwards family home on Meeting House Lane. She went to the Amagansett Grade School and East Hampton High School. She then attended college at New York University.
Her family’s roots in the community dated back to the 1600s. Her great-great grandfather, Captain Joshua Edwards, was a well-known deep-sea whaler who captured the last whale off Amagansett in 1907. Faith carried a deep love and pride for her hometown throughout her life. Her grandfather operated a bunker steamer, and her father captained a fishing dragger out of Promised Land Fish Factory, continuing a long family tradition tied to the sea.
She was preceded in death by her parents; her son, William H. McDonald; her beloved husbands, Edward P. McDonald, Sr. and later Frederick Cofer; and her beloved aunts in the Edwards family, Elizabeth E. Davis, Lillian E. Hostetter, and Marie E. Burkhardt.
Faith is survived by her son, Edward P. McDonald, Jr. (Pamela) of East Hampton, NY; her daughter-in-law, Bridget McDonald of Mount Pleasant, SC; her grandchildren, Christopher McDonald (Daphne) of Sag Harbor, NY, Jessica Gonzalez (Chris) of Mount Pleasant, SC, and Brett McDonald (Erica) of Mount Pleasant, SC; and her six cherished great-granddaughters.
Faith worked for several years at Goebel’s in Montauk, NY. She married Edward P. McDonald, Sr. and they had 2 children, Edward P. McDonald, Jr. and William H. McDonald. During a difficult time when her husband became ill, she stepped into the role of primary provider for her family, demonstrating remarkable strength and resilience. She commuted to New York City, where she worked as a legal secretary for Western Electric Company, always looking forward to returning home to Amagansett on weekends to be with her family.
Later in life, Faith married Frederick Cofer, an executive from New Jersey. Together they enjoyed retirement in Westfield, NJ for nearly 30 years. After his passing, Faith relocated to Mount Pleasant, SC to be closer to her son William’s family, where she treasured time spent with her grandchildren and great-granddaughters. Faith will be remembered for her devotion to family and enduring love for Amagansett and its history.
Memorials may be made to the Huntington’s Disease Society of America. Sadly, her beloved mother and sister succumbed to the disease.
A memorial service will be held at a later date in East Hampton. She will be buried at Cedar Lawn Cemetery in East Hampton, NY beside her late husband.
Arrangements are by J. Henry Stuhr, Inc., Mount Pleasant Chapel. A memorial message may be sent to the family on our website at www.jhenrystuhr.com.
