Mary Louise Coughlin

Mary Louise Coughlin, age 84 of Gainesville, Florida passed away peacefully on Tuesday, January 3, 2023 in her residence in Germantown, Maryland. She was a native of Garden City, New York which is where she met and married the love of her life, Clifford A. Coughlin, on August 26, 1961. They shared 58 years together before his passing in 2019. She was preceded in death by her mother, Margaret Brashears, her father Maurice Limon Brashers, and her brother Richard Brashears. She is survived by her three children, Mary Beth Deluzio and husband Chris Deluzio, Steve James Coughlin and wife Susan Coughlin, and Kathi Marie Lasker and husband Jay Lasker. She is also survived by her sisters Elizabeth Garvin, Patricia Orsini, and Jean Vause and by her nine grandchildren and one great-grandchild.

As a graduate of the University of Rhode Island, Mary Lou pursued a career in elementary education where she cultivated and inspired countless young children who she loved dearly. Throughout her life, she was completely devoted to her husband and children by provided a loving, nurturing, and supportive environment where anything was possible. This approach to family life was infectious throughout Levittown, New York, where she raised her family, and it fortified the importance of hard work and family values during a very modest period in our country’s history. Her foundation was her faith in our Lord and the teachings of the Catholic Church for which she was a role model for how to live a Christian life on earth. With her soft-spoken disposition and her compassionate way, Mary Lou personified the likeness of our Blessed Mother Mary more than anyone else of her generation.

In 1988, Mary Lou and Cliff retired from their professional lives and relocated to Gainesville, Florida where they pursued social activities, sporting events, and crafts. A little known fact about Mary Lou is that she was a steadfast college and professional football fan! Also, she was extremely gifted in the art of quilting and she used her skills to provide thoughtful gifts to her family over the years. In addition, she was instrumental as a volunteer for Habitats for Humanity, again seeking to spread Christian hospitality and good will for those in need. All of her life, Mary Lou accumulated an enormous circle of friends and family and she will be profoundly missed by all of them.

A viewing will be held at 10:30 am followed by a funeral mass at 11:00 am on Friday, January 6, 2023 at Mother Seton Catholic Church, 19951 Father Hurley Blvd, Germantown, Maryland 20874, with Fr. Lee Fangmeyer and Decon William Bill Vita, celebrants. Mary Lou will be laid to rest at her husband’s side at Florida National Cemetery, Bushnell, Florida on January 10, 2023.

In lieu of flowers, please make donations to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN. 38105, or visit www.stjude.org.