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Introduction
Dr. Victoria Coffey (16 September 1911 &#x2013; 15 June 1999) '''LRCPI & LM, LRCSI &LM 1936, PhD, MA Dub. 1965, FRCPI 1979, MFCM 1974, LM Coombe 1944, DCH RCPSI''' was an Irish pediatrician. She was an alumna of the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, and one of the first to research sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS).

Early Life and Family
Victoria Philomena Dorothy Coffey was born 16 September 1911 at 108 Brunswick Street, Dublin the daughter of John Coffey, a weigh-master, cattle exporter and bookmaker and Ellie Coffey (née McCaul), who for a time ran 'The Royal Arms' in Kilcullen. Her paternal grandfather William Coffey, had been Lord Mayor of Dublin from 1909-1910.

Throughout her childhood "Viki" (as she was known to her friends) won numerous medals at both the Myra Feis and Fr. Matthews Feis. She played both the piano and cello and was a trained singer under instruction from Dr. Vincent O'Brien (composer).

Victoria had 10 brothers and sisters. Her eldest sister Olga lived to be 77, Albert her eldest brother, a travel agent 68 , Ernest a peace commissioner was 88. Her younger brother Cecil became Fr. Louis Coffey when he was ordained a Dominican father and notably established the famous 'moving crib' in Dublin in 1956, he was 77 when he passed away. Her younger sister Pauline also became a doctor and like Victoria won prestigious awards in the Royal College of Surgeons.

Five of Victoria's brothers and sisters passed away as children (four in infancy). Alfred was the oldest at five years old, John was eleven months old, Fredrick was four months old, Edith was 11 weeks old and Imelda was six days old. Victoria's nephew believes "that was one of the main reasons she was so motivated to learn about the health of newborns and young children.”

Outside of her medical work Victoria is described as a redoubtable character. As evidenced by her service on many committees, she had natural leadership qualities and a no-nonsense manner, and was both able and assertive. Although she was widely known among members of her profession, mention of her in medical histories is sparse. Her nephew describes her as "a no nonsense person but with quite a wicked sense of humor". She did much fund-raising for the Dominican mission (now the Dublin Christian Mission) which her brother Cecil was associated. She survived poliomyelitis in 1955. Victoria lived at 74 Cowper Road, Rathmines and remained unmarried. She died 15 June 1999, aged eighty-seven, in St. James's Hospital, Dublin, where she had served for most of her life.