Elsie and her brother, Randal Davis of Lambertville opened Sojourner in 1982. Elsie’s interest in fashion, jewelry design, and tribal art coupled with her brother’s love of travel would prove to be a winning combination. Elsie’s 41 year run at Sojourner was exceptional and she worked at her store until three weeks before her death. Her daughter, who has been her partner since 1990, will continue her legacy there.

Elsie was born in Califon, NJ, on January 28, 1936. She was raised in Oldwick, NJ. She was a member of the second graduating class of North Hunterdon Regional High School and then attended Montclair State Teacher’s College. She graduated in 1957. Elsie taught at Lebanon Borough School where she was the first female elementary school principal in NJ, and continued her education at Rutgers College where she earned a master’s in education.

At a school board meeting in 1962, Elsie met Howard Coss, who was presenting an insurance package to the board. The couple wed in 1963, and moved to Stanton, NJ.

As a resident of Stanton, NJ, Elsie was active in many community organizations including the South Branch Watershed Association, The Cub Scouts, and The Stanton Holly Trail. Elsie’s creativity and sense of fun helped these organizations produce events that raised thousands of dollars for their charitable work. She was an active miniaturist and for three years designed and built a dollhouse that she donated to the Visting Nurse Association of Hunterdon, which they used as the centerpiece of a highly successful raffle. Her love of miniatures was a life-long passion and she continued to build and create tiny furniture, rooms, and dolls.

While in Lambertville, NJ, Elsie believed in giving back to the community. She was an active volunteer for the Jim Hamilton Shad Fest Scholarship. Her background in education made Elsie passionate about supporting the next generation of artists in the Delaware River Valley. She also contributed to many community organizations through donations.At Sojourner, Elsie was best known for her unique jewelry designs and bead expertise. Among other things, Sojourner features Elsie’s hand-crafted jewelry.

Elsie was pre-deceased by her husband, Howard and her parents, Vera Davis and Daniel Coughlin.

Surviving are her children, Amy Coss & Eddie Coss; grandsons, Clifford Bell, Ethan Coss, and Eli Coss; sisters, Sara Comley & Sharon Roetger; a brother, Randall Davis; several extended family; and many dear friends.

Graveside life celebration services were private in New Germantown Cemetery, Oldwick, NJ, under the care and direction of Wright & Ford Family Funeral Home and Cremation Services, 38 State Highway 31, Flemington, NJ.

A memorial service will take place on Saturday, January 13, 2023 at 11:00 a.m. at Stanton Reformed Church, 1 Stanton Mountain Road, Stanton, NJ 08885, and to which all are welcome. The family also asks that you join them for food and fellowship immediately following the service which will also take place at the church.

You are encouraged to visit Elsie’s permanent life celebration site at www.wrightfamily.com to light a candle of hope, leave messages of condolence, share words of comfort and recollection, and post photographs of her life.