Helen Coughlin

Helen (Malone) Coughlin, 92, of Willimantic, CT died on December 11, 2010 after a brief illness. Helen was born and lived most of her life in Brooklyn, New York. She was the daughter of James and Nora (Madden) Malone. In her youth, she was an Irish stepdancer and performed with her cousin Mary, before many large audiences in New York and New Jersey. Helen worked at King's County Hospital in Brooklyn, New York and upon her retirement there, came to Willimantic and worked at Windham Community Memorial Hospital retiring after 20 years. She loved traveling back to her parents and husband's native country of Ireland and also enjoyed traveling to her sister Margaret Hodgson's home in Phoenix, Arizona. Helen was a communicant of St. Joseph's of Willimantic. She was predeceased by her husband, James Coughlin, her brother, Bernard, and sister, Mary Slyman. Helen is survived by her sister Margaret (Peggy) Hodgson of Phoenix, Arizona, nephews Paul Slyman of Hampton , CT, Kevin Slyman of North Windham, CT, Marty Slyman of NJ, George Slyman of NH, and Michael Lyons of NY. Helen is also survived by her nieces Rose Zimmer of Erie, PA, Helen Burke of Houlton, ME, Cathy Mullahy and Nora Lyons of NY and Jackie Malone of NY. Helen was a member of the Willimantic Irish Club as well as the St. Joseph's Women's Club and volunteered at St. Joseph's Living Center. There are no calling hours. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at St. Joseph's Catholic Church, 99 Jackson St. Willimantic on Thursday Dec. 16th at 11:00a.m. Please park in the church parking lot. Interment will follow in St. Joseph Cemetery, Windham. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. Joseph Living Center, 14 Club Rd., Windham, CT. 06280. For online memorial guestbook, please visit www.potterfuneralhome.com . Arrangements through Potter Funeral Home, Willimantic.