Kathy Coggins

On Sunday, December 7, 2025, Kathy passed away peacefully in her home in the presence of her sister Chris after a long and courageous battle with cancer.

Born in Detroit, Michigan, Kathy spent her early years moving with her family before settling in Ocean City, NJ, where she attended grade school. The family later relocated to Linwood, NJ, and Kathy graduated from Mainland Regional High School in 1977. She continued her education at Fairleigh Dickinson University and completed her degree at the University of Richmond in 1981.

Kathy's lifelong love of learning led her down a varied and meaningful career path. After college, she returned to the Jersey Shore and worked briefly at Resorts International before moving to Merrill Lynch, where she served as a stockbroker for several years. She later joined her mother at Solutions Executive Services, providing office management services to small, local businesses. From 1986 to 1993, she stepped away from professional life to stay at home with her daughters, Ashley and Christine Gillian. Once her children entered preschool, Kathy returned to the workforce, serving Atlantic County Government for twelve years, first at Green Tree Golf Course and later with the Division of Facilities Management.

In 2013, Kathy embraced a new chapter and moved south to the Charlotte, NC area in search of warmer weather and new opportunities. She found her calling in education, working in various roles at South Piedmont Community College.

Throughout her life, Kathy's wanderlust and natural curiosity fueled her travels across more than half of the United States and abroad to Ireland, Paris, London, Canada, and Mexico. She loved the outdoors-especially time spent along the shoreline-but also found joy hiking the beautiful trails of North Carolina and tending to her patio garden. She was a loyal friend of Bill, a source of strength that stayed with her throughout her life. Above all, her daughters were the love of her life.

Kathy is predeceased by her father, Thomas Coggins, Jr.; her mother, Patricia "Gail" Leopardi; and her stepfather, Orvis Leopardi. She is survived by her beloved daughters, Ashley and Christine Gillian; her brothers Tripp (Arleen) Coggins, Michael (Lorena) Coggins, and Jimmy (Tracie) Coggins; her sister Chris (Tommy) Vaughn; and many nieces and nephews.

In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to a charity of your choice.

A memorial service is being planned for next year and will be announced when available.