Janis Coffey Alexander

Janis Coffey Alexander, age 76, passed away peacefully on August 9, 2026 beside her loving partner of 60 years.

She was born to Darrell (Dick), a firefighter, and Shirley Miller Coffey in Yakima, Washington on September 30, 1949. Janis grew up in Oregon surrounded by a loving family. She had two younger brothers, who she is survived by Dave and John. When Janis was in middle school the Coffey’s welcomed Penny into their home, and from the start they were more than foster sisters, but best friends.

In high school Janis met the love of her life, Scott Alexander. It is rare that a couple meet when they are so young and share a love and a life as full as the one that they had. He was a football player, she a cheerleader and homecoming queen. Janis went on to graduate from Oregon State University with a degree in education.

Along with her husband and two young sons, she moved to Arizona from the rain-soaked Pacific Northwest where she quickly learned to love the sun-drenched Sonoran Desert, enjoying activities such as “staycations” at amazing first-class resorts, to hiking scenic nearby mountain trails. These are words she herself wrote, because besides spending most of her life as a homemaker, she was also a writer. Together Scott and Janis had three children and four grandchildren. 

Janis will be remembered for her love of travel, family, and faith, and she will be tremendously missed.

We invite all those that enjoyed moments with her to join in celebrating her life on Thursday, August 20. We’ll begin with a viewing from 9-10am at Whitney & Murphy Funeral Home at 4800 East Indian School Road, Phoenix, AZ, followed by a service from 10 - 11am. The burial will follow at Paradise Memorial Gardens at 9300 E Shea Blvd, Scottsdale, AZ, then a reception from 12:30-2:30pm at Orange Tree Country Club at 10601 N 56th Street, Scottsdale, AZ where we can share appetizers, drinks, hugs, and memories.

If you have questions, please feel free to contact her children Becky, Aaron, or Casey. Thank you for being a part of her beautiful life.