Obituary of Ellen W. Coughlin

ELLEN COUGHLIN (nee Waznik), 67, of Manhasset, Long Island, New York, of secondary breast cancer, on April 28, 2023. Ellen was predeceased by her parents, Walter W. and Regina M. Waznik of Wilkes-Barre Pennsylvania and is survived by her husband Francis, and sons Kevin, Francis III (Alexa), William (Elizabeth) and daughter, Alice, and granddaughter Maeve. She is also survived by her siblings Paul (Tammy) of Enola, Pennsylvania and sister Kathryn of Scranton, Pennsylvania and her brothers in law Dennis (Nancy) and Robert and was predeceased by her brother-in-law Timothy (Maura Coughlin-Roberti). Ellen was cherished by many nephews, nieces and dear friends.

 Ellen was born at Mary Immaculate Hospital in Jamaica, Queens and lived in Flushing through the third grade until her father (PDNY patrol officer) retired and moved the family to Wilkes-Barre. Ellen was blessed with the twin gifts of a keen intellect and untiring work ethic.  She graduated second (salutatorian) in the 1973 class of Central Catholic High School in Kingston, Pennsylvania earning a full academic Presidential Scholarship to the University of Scranton. She graduated magna cum laude from Scranton in 1977 with a triple major of Communications, Business Administration and English. Ellen earned a St. Thomas More Scholarship to St. John’s University School of Law where she was awarded a Juris Doctor degree in 1980. Thereafter Ellen earned a Masters of Law with a concentration in taxation from New York University School of Law in 1984. After law school (where she met her husband Frank) Ellen joined the tax department of Coopers & Lybrand (now PWC) and remained with PWC until shortly after the birth of her third child. Ellen also was involved in the estates and tax service of the law practice of her father-in-law Francis J. Coughlin, Sr.

Ellen was active in volunteerism as a member of the boards of Our Lady of Grace Montessori School and Center Inc., and Adventures in Learning, Inc., an after-school program for economically disadvantaged Manhasset primary school age children.  For ten years she was a volunteer for the Manhasset Women’s Coalition Against Breast Cancer.  Ellen was a woman of strong faith and participated in the faith formation, youth and outreach ministries of Saint Mary’s Parish in Manhasset.  Ellen also served as Vice President of the Plandome (Country Club) Ladies Golf Organization.

Friends and family may pay their respects at Fairchild Sons Funeral Home at 1570 Northern Boulevard, Manhasset on Monday from 4 pm to 8 pm and on Tuesday from 2 pm to 4 pm and 6 pm to 8 pm. In lieu of the purchase of flowers, contributions may be made in Memory of Ellen Coughlin to “St Vincent de Paul at St. Mary’s Manhasset” c/o St. Mary’s Roman Catholic Church 1300 Northern Boulevard Manhasset NY 11030.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:15 am on Wednesday, May 3^rd, at St. Mary’s Roman Catholic Church, 1300 Northern Boulevard, Manhasset New York 11030.  Interment to follow at Calvary Cemetery, First Division, Queens, New York.