Paula M. Coffey

Paula Coffey passed away on November 14, 2025 after a valiant battle with cancer. Paula was born in Boston on December 26, 1940 and was married for 62 years to Dr. Timothy Coffey. She is survived by her husband Timothy and her three children, Timothy Coffey Jr., Donna Coffey Little, and Dr. Marie Russell. She is also survived by her six grandchildren, Kevin Coffey, Maureen Coffey, Dante Mangrum, Cassandra Wright, Rachel Russell and Lauren Russell, as well as her great-grandchildren Ezra Wright and Corey and Courtney Mangrum.

Paula graduated from Boston State College with a B.S. in Education. She taught computer literacy at Spring Hill Elementary School in McLean, Virginia and supervised the in-school suspension office at Cooper Junior High School in McLean, Virginia.

Paula and Tim were parishioners at St. Luke’s Catholic Church in McLean for over 50 years. Paula loved spending time on her computer and making photo art for her family members. She enjoyed traveling with her husband, and they visited every continent, including Antarctica. She especially loved going on trips and cruises with her sisters Alice Megna, Ria Smith, and Margie Ann Lukas. One of seven children, Paula was also close to her brothers Donald Smith, George Smith and Nelson Smith.

Together with husband Tim, who was Director of the Naval Research Laboratory, Paula attended inaugural balls as well as many formal receptions at federal agencies and international embassies.

She enjoyed many camping trips and vacations at a lakeside cabin in northern Maine with her husband, children and grandchildren.

Paula’s greatest joy was spending time with family, whether it was her sisters and brothers or her husband, children, and grandchildren. She will be sorely missed by many.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Paula's memory may be made to

Saint Anthony Shrine, Lazarus Ministry, 100 Arch Street, Boston 02110.