Virginia Mae Sikhart Coughlin

virginia mae coughlin

August 2, 1926 ~ May 16, 2023

Born in: Castle Rock, WI
Resided in: Asheville, NC

Virginia Mae Sikhart Coughlin passed away peacefully at home on Tuesday, May 16, 2023. She was born in Castle Rock, Wisconsin and a daughter of the late Vandie and Mary Nechkash Sikhart.

After high school, she worked at the library at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. There she met her future husband, James Coughlin, who was a student at the university. They continued to live in Madison, WI, then moved to Milwaukee and eventually settled in Asheville, NC in 1961. She raised five children while being employed at Sears for 34+ years. In her spare time, Virginia was a fantastic seamstress, a creative craft maker and an avid gardener. Her gardens were beautiful and a special place for family get-togethers. In addition, Virginia was an active member of St. Eugene’s Catholic Church well into her 80s. She was involved with the prison ministry, St Eugene’s bereavement committee and known to give out hugs to old and new friends, “my people” as she called them, at Sunday morning Mass. Virginia enjoyed many hobbies, interests and special times hosting and entertaining her grandchildren and great grandchildren over her 96 years. She was the light in every room and thoroughly enjoyed listening, singing and dancing to favorite songs with loved ones.

Virginia was preceded in death by her husband, James, her four sisters, Beatrice, Cecelia, Lorraine and Mary, her brother, Bernard, her daughter-in-law, Julie (Patrick). She is survived by three daughters, Karen, Joanne (Jeff) and Diane, two sons, Michael (Nina) and Patrick and eight grandchildren, Andrew, Daniel (Emily), Christopher (Nathan), Gerald III, Sean (Cat), Vandy, Michael (Ally) and Ryan (Breanna) and three great grandchildren, Silas, Aubree and Anthony as well as many nieces and nephews of the Sikhart and Coughlin sides of the family.

We want to thank the staff at the Four Seasons Hospice who provided exceptional care to Virginia. And a special thanks to her four caregivers, Karen, Joanne, Diane and Patrick, that worked tirelessly to give mom all the loving care she needed at home.

A Celebration of Life Mass will be held on Friday, July 14, 2023, in the afternoon at 3:00 pm (eastern time), to be held at St. Eugene’s Catholic Church with Rev. Patrick Cahill presiding. A live stream will be available on the home page of the church’s website, www.steugene.org.

A private interment will be held at the Western Carolina State Veterans Cemetery.

In Lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Bereavement Committee at St. Eugene’s Catholic Church, 72 Culvern Street, Asheville, NC 28804.

Groce Funeral Home on Patton Avenue is in charge of the arrangements.

Services

Celebration of Life: July 14, 2023 3:00 pm

St. Eugene's Catholic Church
72 Culvern Street
Asheville, NC 28804

(828) 254-5193
http://www.steugene.org

Funeral Home Assisting The Family:

Groce Funeral Home - Patton Ave.
1401 Patton Ave.
Asheville, NC 28806

(828)252-3535
http://www.grocefuneralhome.com

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  1. Aunt Virginia was such a sweet, kind woman. Don’t know how she raised 5 kids, as I never heard her raise her voice! I loved watching her and my dad talk gardening. ♥️

  2. A kind and loving friend of our family for many years. Home now with Jesus, and her loving husband.

  3. Dear Family of Virginia Coughlin,
    On behalf of the St. Eugene Church Bereavement Ministry, I would like to express my condolences for the loss of your loved one. Know that our Ministry will be praying for your family during this time of sadness. Please be in touch with us if there is anything we can do to help your family.
    Blessings,
    Ginny Raviotta
    St. Eugene Church Bereavement Ministry


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