Verna Eleanor Coughlin

March 9, 1929 – December 11, 2024

It is with great sadness, we announce the passing of Verna Coughlin, on December 11, 2024 at the age of 95.

Verna is survived by her children Cheryl Pykerman (Lorne), Donna Waterson (Wilf), Craig Coughlin (Debbie), Leanne Ingo (Brian), Warren Coughlin (Sarah); grandchildren Jason, Shelley, Jayson, Mindy, Jennifer, Daren, Kari, Blaine, Megan, Ellie; 14 great grandchildren; and her brothers Glenn and Ken Brown.

She is predeceased by her husband Leslie Coughlin, son Leslie John Coughlin Jr., daughter in-law Shannon Coughlin, parents Myrtle and Oscar Brown, sister Margaret Page, sister Mildred Coughlin and brother Raymond Brown.

Verna was born in Rainy River, Ontario on March 9, 1929 – the second of six children to Myrtle and Oscar Brown. She married, Leslie Coughlin, in 1948 and together spent the next 60 years raising a family of six children and participating in many activities and pursuits in the Kenora area.

In her younger years, Verna was an active member of the Ladies’ Auxiliary helping host many functions sponsored by the organization. She looked forward to weekly outings to play darts or cards with friends, but her most cherished times were those spent visiting with family at her parents’ camp on Kramer Lake and summers cruising on Lake of the Woods with her husband, children and friends. There were many nautical adventures and memories made aboard the houseboat that Leslie built, often with a fishing rod in hand.

After selling the family home, Verna moved into an apartment in Gardner House on Park Street where she enjoyed weekly bingo and socializing with many residents over the last 18 years. She looked forward to events with her family, whether it be going out for lunch or celebrating birthdays and holidays and if it happened to be overlooking the lake, all the better! While her socializing had slowed down over the last several months, she lived independently up until two weeks of her passing – a true testament to her will and fortitude.

The family would like to extend gratitude to the staff at Pinecrest Community Support Services for their in-home care over the last several years. Per Verna’s wishes, cremation has taken place and celebration of life will be planned for a later date.