Ann Coakley (Horrigan) of West Roxbury, age 95, passed away on September 21, 2023, surrounded by her family. Ann was the beloved wife of the late John R. Coakley and the devoted mother of Sheila Coakley and husband David Johnson of Shrewsbury, Kathleen Riley and husband Richard of West Roxbury, Susan M. Coakley and husband David Astrue of Hingham, and John Coakley and wife Christine of Duxbury. She was the loving sister of her late twin brother William Horrigan and wife Shirley of Woburn. Ann is also survived by her dear cousin Barbara Schaffroth of The Villages, Florida; eleven grandchildren: Caitlin Riley, Elizabeth Riley, John Astrue, John Coakley, Christopher Riley, James Astrue, Kevin Coakley, Katherine Johnson, Matthew Astrue, Katherine Coakley and Patrick Astrue; and four great-grandchildren: Riley Melillo, Kendall Melillo, Kelsey Melillo and Grace Riley. Ann was also the loving aunt to twelve nieces and one nephew.
Ann was raised in Roslindale and West Roxbury, Massachusetts and graduated from Girls Latin School. She obtained her undergraduate degree from Emmanuel College and subsequently attended Boston College, where she earned a master’s degree in mathematics. After initially working as a chemist for First National Supermarkets, Ann began a long teaching career. Ann taught in the Boston Public Schools, including the Solomon Lewenberg Middle School in Mattapan, where she met her husband, and later at Ursuline Academy in Dedham, where she taught for over 20 years. In retirement, Ann continued to teach as a volunteer at Mother Caroline Academy in Boston.
Ann raised her family in West Roxbury, where she taught CCD, was a lector at St. Theresa’s Church and volunteered as a Girl Scout leader. Ann was also an active alumna of Girls Latin School, regularly attending class reunions. She also volunteered as a lector at St. Thomas Aquinas Church in Jamaica Plain.
Ann was truly devoted to her family. She provided compassionate care to her ailing mother, husband and mother-in-law. She prepared and delivered holiday meals for her husband’s aging aunts and uncles and applied her skills at mathematics to tutor her children and grandchildren. She took immense interest and pride in the accomplishments of her children and grandchildren.
Despite having grown up during the Great Depression and World War II and suffering the untimely passing of her husband, Ann was invariably positive, optimistic and fun. She was filled with joie de vivre. It is difficult to find a photograph of Ann where she is not broadly smiling. She laughed easily and had a wonderful sense of humor. She was always on the hunt for quality local bakeries where she could indulge one of her few vices: croissants and other pastries. Ann loved to travel and journeyed to, among other places, Hawaii, Italy, France, and Ireland, where she visited her Irish cousins in Rosscarbery. She particularly enjoyed spending time with family and getting updates on her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren and their dogs.
A true dog-lover, Ann could identify any breed at a great distance. The Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show was her Super Bowl. Over the years, Ann was the loving dog parent to five lucky canines: Kerry, MacDuff, Katie, Dulci and Daisey. She walked hundreds of miles around West Roxbury and Jamaica Pond with her furry friends. A lenient parent to her children, Ann’s dogs could do absolutely no wrong in her eyes. Her passion for dogs predictably trickled down to her children and grandchildren, who have, in turn, adopted what combined to become a large pack of dogs, each of whom was invariably spoiled and doted upon by Ann.
The loss of Ann will be deeply felt by her family, friends and former students (also friends). But we try to find comfort in knowing that we were very fortunate to have had this special person in our lives for as long as we did.
Family and friends will honor and remember Ann's life by gathering for calling hours at The Gormley Funeral Home, 2055 Centre Street, West Roxbury on Monday, September 25, 2023 from 4:00 to 8:00 p.m. A funeral service will be held on September 26, 2023 at 10:00 a.m. at St. Theresa’s Catholic Church, 2078 Centre Street, West Roxbury. To live stream the Funeral Mass, go to www.sttheresaparishboston.com. Burial will follow in St. Joseph’s Cemetery in West Roxbury. Expressions of sympathy may be made to Angell Animal Medical Center www.mspca.org/donate-now/.