Ellen M. Coyne

Ellen Marie (McHugh) Coyne, 78, of Johnson City, NY passed away peacefully at home on October 22nd, 2025, after a courageous fight with advanced Alzheimer’s type dementia. Born in Scranton, PA on March 30th,1947, Ellen was the eldest of the 12 children of Clarence McHugh and June (Hart) McHugh of Scranton.

A devout Catholic, Ellen had been a dedicated member of St. Ann's Parish in Scranton and St, James’ Parish in Johnson City for over 70 years combined. She had given selflessly of her time and resources to untold numbers of charitable organizations and individuals for decades.

Ellen was immensely proud of her Irish heritage, and passed that devotion on to her children and…pretty much anyone she met. She made many lifelong friends and held several leadership positions with the Broome County Ladies Ancient Order of Hibernians, including President of Division #2, member of The Parade Committee, Chair of the Heritage Ball, and as representative of our local LAOH at State Conventions and National events. A point of pride for Ellen was that she was the first woman to be a bartender at the Binghamton AOH Hall, paving the way for others to take on the role.

Hundreds of patients of Riverside Dental in Binghamton will remember Ellen from the job she held–and loved–for more than 30 years as assistant to Drs. A.V. Mincolla Jr., and Sam Ruffo. Two men who became dear friends of our family.

Ellen was an endlessly supportive and nurturing wife, mother, sister, godmother and grandmother; a fiercely loyal friend and confidante; and a willing and eager accomplice–or more likely instigator–for every sort of adventure. There is no one who knew Ellen who did not experience her infectious energy, her unforgettable laugh, and her bright spark of joy. If you were with Ellen and you weren’t having fun, well, then it was your fault.

She is survived by her loving husband of more than 60 years, John R. (Jack) Coyne, Jr. who has devoted these last several years to being her diligent and tireless caregiver.

She is also survived by her children: Christopher (Maggie) Coyne; John (Kevin Bill) Coyne; and Jennifer (Andy) Breese, and grandchildren, Samuel and Wyatt Breese, and Clare and Declan Coyne; brothers Michael (Jean Marie) McHugh, Bo (Susie) McHugh, Patrick McHugh, Tim (Linda) McHugh, Peter McHugh, Vincent McHugh, and Mark (Kris) McHugh, and sisters Mary (James) Gerrity, Bridget (Thomas) Wheeler and Maureen (Dickie) Younger. She was predeceased by her sister Maggie (Richard) Brock and her oldest friend Barbara Barrett.

She is also survived by dozens of nieces and nephews on both the Coyne and McHugh family sides, as well as brothers and sisters-in-law who were as close to her as her own siblings throughout her life; plus many cousins and close lifelong friends including her best friends Patti (Coyne) Rollo and Maureen (Hickey) O’Malley. She was also a devoted godmother to Riley Marcks and Matthew Rollo.

If you knew Ellen, or even met her in passing, please take a moment to think about her today. We promise...It will make you smile. She left us a legacy worth remembering.

Friends and family are invited to attend a Funeral Mass for Ellen on Saturday November 8th, at 10:00 a.m. at St. Ann’s Basilica on St. Ann’s Street in Scranton, PA.

In lieu of flowers the family requests that gifts of sympathy in her name be given to Mercy House of the Southern Tier, 212 North McKinley Avenue, Endicott, NY 13760.