The Coolidge board and staff mourn the passing of our beloved longtime board member and champion, Chobee Hoy.
In addition to being a trailblazing business owner, Chobee was tireless in her support to countless organizations and individuals in need—she seemed to be everywhere, all at once, with an open heart and time for the next cause or person.
The Coolidge is a major benefactor. We truly would not be here today without Chobee's passion and commitment, from her leadership within the community that saved the Coolidge from redevelopment in the late 1980s to her long-term and highly engaged decades of board service. She was the ultimate Coolidge ambassador and cheerleader.
During the early days of being a nonprofit, the Coolidge was "saved," but continued to struggle. Film distributors went unpaid and would not give the Coolidge films to screen. Chobee brought in Connie White and Marianne Lampke, owners of The Brattle, to stabilize finances and reestablish relationships with the studios. Connie remembers Chobee "coming in and paying film rental and covering concessions deliveries out of her own pocket." Today, distributors clamor for screen time at the Coolidge. Her faith in the Coolidge was unwavering, and we are happy she was able to witness the theatre grow and thrive.
Chobee seemed to know everyone and everyone knew her. She was the ultimate connector, gathering and introducing people in her living room seemingly every night. Getting a phone call or email from someone saying "Chobee Hoy told me I should talk with you" was routine, and always worthwhile. It was Chobee who brought Michael Douglas to Brookline to receive the Coolidge Award, via her relationship with the Howard Gotlieb Archival Research Center.
Chobee was a wise advisor and a loyal friend to the Coolidge staff and board. We will miss her greatly. She has left our world a better place, and her spirit and generosity will forever remain integral to the heart and soul of the Coolidge.
