Patricia (Sweeney) Coughlin

The angels guided her kind and gentle soul home.

Patricia ”Tish” Sweeney Coughlin, beloved wife of the late Bernard J. Coughlin and 14th child of the late Thomas J. and Catherine Byrne Sweeney passed away at her home on Sunday, June 22, 2025. She was born in Hartford, CT on March 9, 1928 and lived in Middle Haddam in the home her husband built for them 74 years ago.

Tish graduated from Mount St. Joseph Academy in 1945 and worked as a secretary at the Fuller Brush Company in Hartford. When their five children were older, she worked for Attorney Joseph Bransfield in Portland and later worked at the East Hampton Public Library for 26 years, retiring in 2005.

Tish served her community as a volunteer for the American Red Cross blood mobiles in East Hampton, a member of the St. Patrick Church Guild, a member of the Irish American Home and a knitter of baby hats for newborns at Middlesex Hospital. She thoroughly enjoyed her trips to the Irish Village on Cape Cod with her husband and brother Joe and his wife Norma. She also enjoyed other travels, including many visits to the Lucky Catch in New Hampshire and numerous trips to Ireland. She was an avid reader and inspired others to read. Tish enjoyed baking, knitting, quilting, and Irish step dancing. She had a knack for whipping up a snack or meal for company, even unexpected visitors dropping by. Tish loved any gathering that involved family, music and tea. A devout Catholic, Tish was a communicant of St. Patrick Church and held fast to her faith. She was also very proud of her Irish heritage. Tish enriched the lives of all who knew her.

Her children, grandchildren, great- grandchildren, extended family, and friends brought Tish great joy. She is survived by her four daughters and their spouses: Bernice C. Bartlett and husband James of Middle Haddam, Alicia C. Penney and husband Daniel of Middletown, Eileen C. Gotta and husband Charles of Middle Haddam, Sheila C. Daniels and husband Robert of Middletown. She also leaves her only son, Bernard J. Coughlin, Jr. (B.J.) and his wife Lori of Middle Haddam. Tish was Nana to 11 grandchildren who loved her to pieces: Katherine Bartlett Blaszczyk, James Bartlett, Brian Penney, Meaghan Penney Scaia, Robert Gotta, Nicholas Gotta, Molly Daniels, Jessie Daniels Prince, Kyle Coughlin, and Leah Coughlin. She was great-grandmother (Gigi) to: Liam Blaszczyk, Alana Blaszczyk, Harlan Bartlett, Fiona Bartlett, Ronin Bartlett, Reese Penney, Evan Penney, Nar Scaia, Josephine Scaia, Oliver Gotta, Stella Gotta, and Daniel Prince. She also leaves her other four girls, "the kids down the hill": Rita C. Gibbons, Denise C. Painter, Anne C. McKinney, and Catherine C. Holmes, along with many more nieces, nephews and cousins. Besides her husband and parents, Tish was predeceased by her brothers: Thomas Sweeney Jr., James Sweeney, Eugene Sweeney, Joseph Sweeney and sisters: Katherine Crowley, Mary Hawley, Margaret McCarthy, Helen Gleason, Rita Coughlin, Winifred Flannery and her dear, cherished granddaughter, Kelly Coughlin.

Relatives and friends are invited to gather with her family on Thursday, June 26th from 5:00 - 7:00 P.M. at the Spencer Funeral Home, 112 Main St., East Hampton. A Mass of Christian Burial celebrating Tish's life will be held on Friday, June 27th at 10:00 A.M. in St. Patrick Church, 47 West High Street, East Hampton. All attendees are asked to go directly to the church. Burial will follow immediately after the Mass in the St. Patrick Cemetery.

Special thanks from Tish's family to her caregiver, Myrtle Scott-Robinson. Memorial contributions may be made to the Irish American Home, 132 Commerce St., Glastonbury, CT 06033 .To leave online condolences please visit www.spencerfuneralhomeinc.com.

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