Carolyn Coughlin Fox

Carolyn DeForest Coughlin was born on January 10, 1939, in Brookline, MA, the youngest child of Harold Edward and Marie Carolyn (Gale) Coughlin. Carolyn’s parents both passed away when she was quite young, and Carolyn eventually went to live with her sister Marian (“Muffy”) Wilson and her family in Winchester, VA. Carolyn attended John Handley High School (class of 1957) in Winchester, VA, and received a Bachelor’s Degree in Physical Education (class of 1961) from Russell Sage College of Troy, NY.

During her college years, Carolyn met Philip Milton Fox of Tarrytown, NY, who was also a college student, attending Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI) in pursuit of an Engineering degree. Philip graduated from RPI in 1958 and began a career in aerospace in Southern California. In 1961, Carolyn graduated from Russell Sage College, was united in marriage with Philip, and joined him in Southern California. They raised a son Kit and a daughter Kim. Carolyn and Philip eventually divorced in January 1991.

Carolyn spent much of her life in Southern California as a homemaker. Most of Carolyn’s time was devoted to supporting her children’s extracurricular activities – music for Kit and sports for Kim. She was Kim’s Girl Scout leader, a PTA President, and an elementary school classroom representative. She also sold Mary Kay cosmetics for a while, took many extended education classes over the years, and worked as a ward clerk at a small hospital in La Habra, CA. In later years, she became a talented painter. Attending her weekly painting classes provided her with a much needed creative and social outlet. She also enjoyed keeping fit, taking up running and competing in several 5K races. In addition to running, she became an avid bodybuilder and participated in several body building competitions.

After her divorce, she lived on her own for many years in Orange, CA, and Placentia, CA. In 2017, Carolyn moved into an assisted living facility in Anaheim Hills, CA (Brookdale Nohl Ranch), where she made many new friends and enjoyed crafting, happy hour auctions, scenic drives and creating elaborate holiday decorations for the front door of her apartment. She also enjoyed reading, riding her stationary bike and sitting in the sun on her patio.

Carolyn is survived by her son Harold C. “Kit” Fox (Rick) of Newport, OR; her daughter Kimberly F. “Kim” Hancher (Scott) of Redmond, WA; her grandson Steven M. Hancher (Gabby) of Portland, OR and her grandson Kyle T. Hancher (David Carliner) of Burbank, CA; and other relatives, friends, and neighbors. She was preceded in death by her parents; her sister Marian G. (Coughlin) Wilson in December 1968; her brother Harold E. Coughlin, Jr. in January 2012; and her former husband Philip M. Fox in September 2018.

A celebration of Carolyn’s life, and the people, activities, and things she loved, will be held at 1:30 PM on Friday, January 9, 2026, at Brookdale Nohl Ranch, 380 S. Anaheim Hills Rd., Anaheim Hills, CA 92807, (714) 974-1616.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in Carolyn’s name to the breast cancer or cat rescue charity of your choice.