Shirley Mae Coughlin-Brown

Shirley Mae Coughlin-Brown, age 96, of Millcreek, passed away unexpectedly on Saturday, June 1, 2024 at UPMC Hamot surrounded by her loving family.

She was born in Erie on February 13, 1928 a daughter of the late William and Jimmie Victoria Chadwell Thompson. 

Shirley graduated from Academy High school, immediately went to work at Skinner Engine as a secretary, met her first husband, Robert, and then turned to being a “stay at home” Mom for her four children at their residence on Oxer Road in Erie, PA.  There, she became a constant loving presence for decades to all of her family, neighbors, and friends.
  
Everyone was welcome at any time and all visitors who came through the kitchen door were greeted by her warm smile, welcoming spirit, and delicious home style meals day or night.  She was that “second Mom” to so many neighborhood kids, family cousins, and anyone who needed a positive, loving hand on their shoulder.
 
She was a volunteer presence at her children’s elementary schools and activities, be it serving lunch in the school cafeteria, scoring the local Little League game, or watching the kids in the DiFuccia pool with the other Moms and one of her ”Mother’s Little Helpers” in hand. Every Fourth of July, family and friends knew to meet on the corner at 12th and Ardmore for the parade and then on to Shirley’s back patio deck for her outstanding ox roast sandwiches and chili dogs.

Tragedy struck her and her family in 1970 when her fifteen-year-old daughter, Karen, was struck and killed by a drunk driver while coming home from marching as a Majorette in the McDowell marching band.  Her life changed forever that Saturday night, yet, rather than cripple her, Shirley took the grief, that no parent should ever know, and channeled it into love and affection for every child and adult around her for the rest of her life.

Later in life, with her children grown, Shirley worked for decades as the Office Manager for Pyramid Realty on 26th Street and Greengarden Road. Shirley lost her first husband, Robert, in 1990, grieved his loss for years, and then met Larry Brown in 1996 who became her lifetime love and husband at age 80.  

Shirley set the standard in her personal appearance, was always seen dressed to perfection, complete with matching high heels, be it a grand wedding or a weekly shopping trip down the aisle at Wegmans.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her first husband, Robert Carr Coughlin and a daughter, Karen Ann Coughlin. 

She is survived by her loving husband, Larry Raymond Brown; her children, Timothy William Coughlin (Karen), Jennifer Ann Leuschen (Ronald) and Lisa Paprocki (Gregory); 10 grandchildren, Meghan Coughlin, Michael Coughlin (Nina), Connor Coughlin, Evan Coughlin, Nicholas Leuschen (Azia), Brandon Leuschen, Jeffrey Leuschen (fiancé Tiffany), Sarah Abadi (Bravira), Emma Shutt (Matthew) and Claire Paprocki; five great-grandchildren, Cadan and Oliver Leuschen, Mia and Adrian Abadi and Greyson Shutt; six step-children, Carolee Biddle (Michael), Christine Catell (John), Jim Loeffler (Kris), Jack Loeffler (Allison), Lynee Benson and Dan Loeffler (Carrie) a sister, Joanne Walker of Naples, FL and a brother-in-law, Al Brown.
 
Friends may call at the Burton Quinn Scott Cremation and Funeral Services, Inc, 3801 W. 26th Street on Thursday June 6th, from 1 to 4 p.m. and 6 to 8 p.m. and are invited to attend a prayer service there on Friday June 7th, at 10:15 a.m.  followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at St. Patrick Church 130 E. 4th Street, Erie Pa 16507 at. 11:00 a.m. with graveside services to follow in Calvary Cemetery. 

Memorials may be made to a charity of one’s choice.

Send condolences at www.BurtonQuinnScott.com.