Margaret Mary (Kearney) Coughlin

On June 22nd Our mother gave us the ultimate Irish goodbye.  
Our beautiful mother passed away suddenly this weekend. Margaret Mary Coughlin lived for 70 amazing years.  She was born March 23rd, 1954 in Bayonne, New Jersey to her loving parents Micheal and Margaret (McCabe) Kearney. Growing up in Bayonne and Jersey City, New Jersey is something she was very proud of. It also was a good one liner when she wanted to ‘give it to you’.  “I’m from Jersey City” came out of her mouth often in hopes to defend, protect and assure she would get the job done. After her father passed, Margaret, her mother and three sisters moved to the Berkshires. She thrived in the natural beauty and loved the clean air and freedom she gained when she moved to the country. This is where she met our father, Francis Coughlin - P.S. they are divorced now- but they sure did make some great kids. Our mother raised her children in a home filled with love, and guidance. She was strong in her words, in her beliefs and in protecting her family. She was passionate about art, color, organization, and music. She was also wicked with numbers. Margaret was hired by two brothers 45 years ago to count the monies from a fruit stand.  Balancing books to the penny, without a computer, she watched this business grow into what we all now know as Guido’s. These two brothers, and their entire family (and JoAnne) took care of my mom and gave her, and us, a second family.  She was proud of her work, and proud of Guido’s. 
Our mother was the best without even knowing it. Raising 4 children on her own, even if times were tough for her, she took care of business like no other. She made up for the tough times with little bits of love, lots of laughter and a ton of music. She was also the best Grammy ever.  Our children were the shiny part of her balloon. She loved them tremendously, and lived for them.   
Quinten, Riley, Nora, Ruby, Mila, Reese and Isla. They are what kept her going.  Our mom had a heart attack two years ago, and we had her on borrowed time. Time that we look back on with appreciation and love. We danced, we laughed and we loved her for two extra years. Hold the ones you love close and live for tomorrow. We often spoke of how life is short. We knew that she had been given this extra time to close her books. Boy did she. Her house was clean (per usual) her things were taken care of, and we all got the last word in. I love you. That was the last thing each of us said to her.  
In her eternal rest Margaret will be reunited with her daughter Maggie Lynn Coughlin. We all assume they are already fighting about heaven, and how it works. She gets to spend many years with her before we will see her again. In the mean time she will be most missed, loved and admired by her children here on earth. Her daughter and son-in-law Bridget and Dan Desrosiers and their two girls Camille and Patrice. Her son and daughter-in-law Francis and Rachel with their three girls Riley, Norah and Isla. Her son Brian and granddaughter Ruby, and her extra daughter Emily Coughlin. And of course her prince, Maggies’ son, Quinten Coughlin-Walton; her sisters: Kathleen Quinlan, and her husband Steve Lozyniak, Eilleen Kearney, and Betty Warren; as well as many nieces and nephews that loved her so much.  
She will be remembered every time you hear Bruce Springsteen, Billy Joel, and Louis Armstrong.  And Laura’s Song.  A favorite quote of my mom-  “Once a catholic, always a catholic- Bruce Springsteen!” Please hold your loved ones today and every day hard, breath them in and kiss them often. You never know when you wont be able to again.  See you later, mom. We love you.  
A graveside service will be held at St. Mary’s Cemetery on Thursday, June 27, 2024, 1:30PM. There are no visiting hours.
If you would like to leave a message of condolence or share pictures with the family, please visit our web site at www.kellyfuneralhome.net