Eileen (Keating) Coughlan (1931 - 2013)

Born 31 Mar 1931 in Ouyen, Victoria, Australia [uncertain]

Ancestors

Died 4 Dec 2013 at age 82 in Bendigo, Victoria, Australia

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Biography

COUGHLAN (nee Keating). Eileen 31.3.1931 - 4.12.2013 Passed away peacefully at Bendigo Hospital Loved wife of Paddy (dec. ). Loved mother of Carmel, Bernie, Neville, John, Paul, Kevin, Shane, David and their families. Reunited with Pat ^[1]

Eulogy - Eileen Coughlan

Mum was born near Ouyen on the 30st March 1931. Some doubt arises as she always celebrated it on the 31st.The confusion arose as it may have taken her father, David, a day to get into town to register the birth. She was the last born of 11 children to her mother Doris and father David. Her mother passed away when Mum was only 18 months old so she never really knew her. She was largely raised by her older siblings, as her father sought work during the difficult years of the depression. In her earlier years this was largely by her older sisters Isabel and Kathleen. At the age of 17 she moved to Quambatook to take up teaching. Amongst others she taught John Williamson and Molly Meldrum. At the time she lived with her older brother Allan. She enjoyed the country life and caught the eye of a debonair returned soldier by the name of Patrick Coughlan. After a brief courtship they were married in Quambatook on Feb 11th 1950. After their wedding they moved to Boort where Paddy took up work with the State Rivers and Water Supply Commission. Their first child, a daughter Carmel, came along at the end of that year and this was regularly followed every couple of years by the arrival of seven boys – Bernie in 1952, Neville in 1955, John in 1958, Paul and Kevin in 1960 (a surprise to everybody except the midwives) Shane in 1963 and finally Dave in 1970. Dave’s was a difficult birth with the doctors advising mum to terminate her pregnancy as going full term was a serious threat to her life. She refused these recommendations saying she never gave up on any of her other children; she was not given up on this one. Mum earned pocket money by being a dressmaker from home. She was very popular due to her skill and the fact that she would make what the girls wanted and not what their mother wanted. In 1970 Mum determined that for the sake of the kids, and for her own mental wellbeing that she wanted to move to a larger regional centre with more opportunity. Her two eldest children had already moved to Melbourne and she saw all her other children were likely to follow. Mum was always a very intelligent woman and felt that she needed to also give herself more opportunity. The family moved to Bendigo in January of 1971 and she returned to her career of teaching. The move into a house across from Lake Weeroona was the first time we had a house with hot running water. We lived here for several years before mum and dad bought their long term home in North Bendigo. This move was memorable for Dave being left behind in the moving truck. In the excitement everybody forgot him and he nearly had a “home alone “experience. Dave at times said he thought it was not an accident. In her teaching career she had a short stint at Holy Rosary but spent 15 years at St Liborius. She was always very grateful to the Catholic Education office in Bendigo for giving her the opportunity as many of her qualifications had lapsed after such a long absence. She loved her teaching. From it she form life time friendships and was grateful for the friendship of her fellow teachers and parents. Often we would be down the street with mum when someone would say “hello Mrs Coughlan” and Mum would say “I think I taught him several decades ago”. She never forgot a face. Mum, from my earliest memories, was known for the big family Sunday roast. Often those around the table extended beyond the immediate family which was large enough as it was. As the family spread out starting their own families and moving beyond Bendigo she often found excuses for the big family get together, banquet style, where it was every man for themselves. To Mum the most important thing was family, both the immediate family and the extended family. She had eight children, fifteen surviving grand-children and to date seven great grandchildren. She loved us all and was a constant support for those who needed it. She had a mischievous sense of humour, not taking many things seriously in life. Eileen lost her beloved husband Pat in July of 1995 and from that point lived alone insisting she was okay to cope. She found support in the palliative care group and was involved with them right up to recent months enjoying regular get together lunches. Mum had a series of Cocker Spaniels as pets and loved them dearly and they were her constant companions. She also filled in her time by increasing her interest in craftwork. She was always a keen knitter and all of her children were blessed to receive many a woollen jumper made to order, though some of the more colourful productions have not aged well. Amazingly many of these jumpers have come back into fashion for the younger grandkids and have recently been disappearing from the bottom of their father’s cupboards. She became very involved in the craft groups of embroidery and patchwork, being active on a number of boards. It also allowed her to develop a number of good and lasting friendships with other ladies involved in this area. Many a family bed is covered by Mum’s beautiful patchwork quilts. As she grew older she insisted on her independence but was having increasing health issues. Despite hip replacements, blot clots, diabetes, and arthritis she loved living in her house in North Bendigo and was reluctant to seek any assistance. It was only when she recognised the increasing load and responsibility that was falling on her own family that she accepted the need to go into assisted care. She was also diagnosed with the early stages of dementia which along with her frailty made it difficult for her to live alone. After an illness in 2010 she reluctantly moved into Alexandra House in Bendigo. As her dementia worsened and general health deteriorated she continued to receive excellent care at this facility until she finally passed away last week. We would like to thank the staff at Alexandra House for the wonderful care that they gave her. While she knew she had the love of her family, her increasing difficulty with communication and being able to express herself in her words and in her craft was an enormous frustration. Although she was in fear of the implications of her declining health she was able to keep her sense of humour and light spirit. Mum – you no longer need to fear and you are now re-joined with Paddy enjoying your reward in heaven looking down upon your extended family that are all missing you greatly. Rest in Peace Mum. We are all thinking off you. ^[2]

Sources

1. ↑ Obituaries Published in Herald Sun on 06/12/2013
2. ↑ Uploaded by Kevin Coughlan. www.heavenaddress.com