Brandi Kathleen Coleman was born to Charles and Gail Coleman in Portland, Maine, on July 31, 1989. Brandi passed away on Sunday evening, March 18, in a tragic car accident on the Anderson Road in Windham.

She was a junior at Gorham High School, but was a vocational student at Westbrook Regional Vocational Center, where she was in the public safety program, which involved planning a career in the military or public safety as a firefighter or a police officer/EMT. Brandi was also a sempei at Fournier’s Leadership Karate, where she was on the SWAT team, which stands for Special Winning Attitude Team. She was brown/black belt and was working toward getting her black belt. Brandi was also training to become an instructor at Fournier’s.

On Monday, March 19, she was going to try out for the Gorham High School softball team. She was also a previous student at Westbrook High School, where she participated in track, softball, and previously was a cheerleader at Wescott Junior High.

Brandi was very active with anything that had to do with the outdoors. She loved to go on hikes in the White Mountains with her family, and most of all she loved spending time with her brother Charlie, tracking deer and any other wildlife tracks they came across. She also passed her hunter safety course with her father, Charles, and enjoyed hunting with her dad this past season.

One of her favorite pastimes was listening to all kinds of music, mostly hip-hop and country. Her favorite music artist was Chris Daltry, “Its Not Over.” She and her sister Deziree would attend dances like the homecoming, Halloween dance and winter ball, and they spent many times shooting basketball. Brandi, Deziree and Charlie spent joyous times riding bikes, sledding and riding snowmobiles and would go to the local Westbrook pool together. Brandi and her mom, Gail, spent many hours playing cards and watching movies together and laughing at each other.

The family also went to North Carolina to Camp Lejune to meet their older son and brother before he went to Iraq. This was the first time Brandi, Deziree and Charlie had met their older brother, Mark. Mark grew up in California. Brandi always wanted to meet him and got the opportunity a year ago. She always spoke very highly of him and was very proud of her brother’s being a Marine.

Brandi had a very big heart and was a very caring and giving person. She leaves behind her mom and dad, Charlie and Gail; two brothers, Mark and Charlie, and sister Deziree; her grandparents, many aunts and uncles and cousins and her beloved friends; and her dogs, Minnie and Spot.

Visiting hours will be held Thursday from 6 to 9 p.m. in St. Hyacinth Church, Brown Street, Westbrook. Funeral services will take place in St. Hyacinth Church Friday at noon. Arrangements are by the Blais & Hay Funeral Home, 35 Church St., Westbrook.