Eileen Keating Coffee

Old Lyme - Beloved wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister, and faithful public servant, Eileen Keating Coffee passed away unexpectedly at home June 13, 2025. A devoted wife, loving mother of five, proud grandmother and great-grandmother, and a respected public servant, Eileen lived a life full of warmth, faith and quiet strength.

Eileen was born to Lawrence Keating, of Valencia Island, Country Kerry, and Bridget “Veronica” Lavelle Keating, of Straide, Mayo County, Ireland. Her parents emigrated to the United States in the 1920s and met in New London, where they built a life rooted in family, tradition and the enduring bonds of their Irish heritage. Eileen was the daughter of one of four Lavelle sisters who each married fellow Irish immigrants from the Sullivan, Joyce, Feeney and Keating families, weaving a close-knit and resilient family legacy.

Raised in New London, Eileen attended St. Mary’s Grammar School and Saint Bernard’s High School. It was at Saint Bernard’s that she met her high school sweetheart, Kenneth W. Coffee. They married and recently celebrated 58 years of love and partnership.

Together, Eileen and Ken raised five children: Kenneth L. (spouse Teresa), Brian M. (spouse Brittany), Elizabeth A. Hutchinson, Edward “Ned” J. and Daniel J. Her pride in her family was immeasurable. She was a loving grandmother to Ashley Bennett and David of Ogden, Utah, Everly Lavelle and Noelle Loretta of Alexandria, Va., Katelyn and Joshua Hutchinson of Danielson, and Aiden and Hannah Coffee of Old Lyme. She was a cherished great-grandmother to Kendall, Weston, Sawyer, and Alessandra Bennett. Eileen is survived by her brother Lawrence Keating and his children: Catherine Keating of New London, Timothy Keating, his wife Dr. Senaida Keating and their son Almir of Virginia, Christine Ghiglia (Keating) and Chris Ghiglia of New London, Lawrence and Renee Keating and their sons, Connor, Declan, and Owen of East Lyme; as well as her sister Mary Keating of Waterford. She is lovingly remembered by her extended Coffee family: Shirley Coffee, John and Sue Coffee, Josephine McCulloch, Hugh and Heike Coffee; and many nieces, nephews, and their families. She is predeceased by her in-laws: Kenneth W. Sr. and Margaret Coffee; sister-in-law Anne Keating, sister-in law Margaret "Peggy" and Alvin Kus and sister-in-law Sister Sharon Coffee of Our Lady of Grace Monastery.

Eileen’s work ethic and dedication began early with a newspaper route in New London and continued at Radway’s Dairy during high school. She worked at Pfizer in administrative services before pausing her career to raise her family. Later, she served the town of Old Lyme with distinction, first as assistant Town Clerk and then as elected certified Town Clerk for two terms. Her commitment to the town continued as she worked part-time in the clerk's office up until her passing.

A woman of deep Catholic faith, Eileen lived her values through service and community. She was a Girl Scout leader, Cub Scout den leader, and an enthusiastic supporter of her children’s and grandchildren’s many athletic and academic pursuits. She loved beach days, competitive crossword puzzles with her siblings, travels earlier in her life to Colorado Springs, Sarasota, Fla., Canada, Alaska, Dominican Republic and the trips to Ireland to reconnect with her Mulroy cousins.

Eileen’s grace, humor, and steady presence will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved her.

Calling hours will be held from 4 until 7 p.m. Thursday, June 19, in Christ the King Parish Hall, 1 McCurdy Road, Old Lyme. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11 a.m. Friday, June 20, in the church. Interment will follow in Duck River Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in her name to Christ the King Church or to your favorite charity.