Ellen J. Mahoney

Mrs. Ellen J. (Coughlin) Mahoney, age 66, of Lynn, passed away on Sunday in the Kaplan Family Hospice House surrounded by her loving family after a courageous 3 ½ year battle with cancer. She was the wife of James P. Mahoney, with whom she shared 48 years of marriage.

A lifelong resident of Lynn, Ellen was the daughter of the late Bruce R. and Shirley F. (Williams) Coughlin. She was a graduate of Lynn Classical High School Class of 1964. Ellen had worked at the Lynn Water and Sewer Department for 10 years, retiring in 2012. Previously, she had also worked at the Lynn Public Library and Seaport Insurance.

For many years, Ellen was active with the West Lynn National Little League, where she was a longtime President of the Mother’s Club. A member of the Ladies Auxiliary of the Lynn Knights of Columbus, she was also active with the Knights of Columbus who awarded her with the Woman of the Year Award in 2008 and she and her husband with the Irish Couple of the Year Award in 2005. Ellen was also a member of the Ladies Ancient Order of Hibernians, Division 10 and a member of the Relay for Life “Coughlin Crew” team for over 10 years. She was a communicant of the former St. Patrick’s Parish and of St. Mary’s Parish. At the Parishes, she was active in the Ladies Sodality, the Girl Scout Program, the Athletic Boosters at St. Mary’s High School and the CCD program.

She was an accomplished seamstress, knitter and crafter. She enjoyed cooking and baking with her grandchildren and hosted many holiday parties for her family and friends but the greatest joy in Ellen’s life was her family and taking every opportunity to spend time with them.

In addition to her husband, she is survived by four children: Maryellen Tranfaglia and her husband Mark of Lynn, James Mahoney, Jr. of Lynn, Matthew Mahoney and his wife Melissa of Lynn and Shannon Mahoney and her fiancé Matthew Fuller of Reading; six grandchildren: Megan Tranfaglia, Mikayla, Bryanna and Brooklyn Mahoney, Emma Carter, and James Mahoney; one brother: Kevin Coughlin and his wife Judy Powers of Lynn; five sisters, Kathryn Aylward and her husband Thomas of Lynnfield, Joyce Blais and her husband Joseph of Wakefield, Janet Rowe and her husband Charles of Lynn, Theresa Young and her husband Andrew of Lynn and Margaret Phelps and her husband Michael of Lynn, and many nieces, nephews, grand nieces and nephews, and cousins. She was also the mother of the late Sean Patrick Mahoney and the grandmother of the late Nicole Tranfaglia.

Ellen’s Funeral will be held from the CUFFE-MCGINN FUNERAL HOME, 157 Maple St. Lynn on Thursday at 9:30AM followed by a Funeral Mass in St. Mary’s Church at 10:30AM. Relatives and friends invited. Interment Pine Grove Cemetery. Visiting Hours Wednesday 4-8PM. Gifts in her memory may be sent to the Lynn Classical Scholarship Fund, 235 O’Callaghan Way, Lynn, MA 01905.