FREEPORT – Constance “Connie” Coughlin, 88, originally of Lewiston, passed away March 26, 2006, at the Hawthorne House Convalescent Center in Freeport. She was born Feb. 15, 1918. Connie graduated from Lewiston High School and Colby Sawyer College in New London, N.H., and from the Chamberlain Retail School in Boston, Mass. After graduation she was employed as a wholesale clothing buyer in Boston before marrying Eugene Carroll Coughlin II of Augusta. Connie and “Gene” resided in Rumford for 50 years and had five children. Connie was the daughter of William “Rough” Carrigan who was the player/manager for the Boston Red Sox during their back-to-back World Series wins in 1915 and 1916. As a girl, Connie often attended “home” games in Boston with her family and knew the likes of Babe Ruth, who her father roomed with when the team was on the road. An athlete in her own right, Connie was an avid horseback rider and was once hired by Elizabeth Arden to showcase her horses at horse shows throughout New England. She also loved golf and tennis and skied at her favorite mountain, Sugarloaf, well in to her 70’s. She started skiing at Sugarloaf the year it opened in 1951, before any lifts were built and there was only one trail. Her love of skiing was passed on, through lessons, to her children and grandchildren. Connie enjoyed the out-of-doors in general and would spend hours walking (or cross-country skiing in winter) and photographing plants, animals and birds. Her love of Maine’s mountains and coastline is captured in her photographs, many of which adorn the walls of her children’s and grandchildren’s homes, not to mention Hodge Podge Lodge, the cabin in Eustis where she and Gene spent much of their time. Together over 60 years, they also traveled through much of the United States and parts of Canada and Western Europe. On one trip abroad, when asked by a local where she was from, she responded, “I’m from God’s country.” Connie will be remembered for her love of simple things and for her unique style and sense of humor. Connie is survived by her son, Eugene Carroll Coughlin III of Bangor; and all three of her daughters, Doreen Simones of Bend, Oregon, Constance Goodwin of Bridgewater, N.H. and Dale Bourassa of Freeport. She was predeceased by her son, Barry who died in 1973; and her husband, Gene who passed away in 2004. Memorial services will be held 10 a.m. Friday at the Maine Veterans Memorial Cemetery, Civic Center Drive, Augusta. In Connie’s memory, contributions can be made to the Coastal Humane Society, 30 Range Rd., Brunswick, ME 04011. Arrangements by the family owned Dillingham & Son Memorial Chapel and Tribute Center, 62 Spring St., Auburn.
CONSTANCE ‘CONNIE’ COUGHLIN
