Obituary : Claire T. Coggins
Claire T. Coggins, the beloved wife of the late Benjamin W. Coggins, died on New Year's Day.
She is survived by her three children, daughter Pamela and her husband, Paul Bevins, of Hamden, Conn.; and her twin sons, Benjamin W. Coggins III and his wife, Carolyn, of Westhampton, and William M. Coggins and his wife, Emily Hotchkiss Coggins, of Vineyard Haven.
She is survived by her seven adored grandchildren: Paul and Ryan Bevins, Emily Coggins, and Connor, Matthew, and twins Carly and Grace Coggins.
Dear lifetime Island friends include George and Agnes Rice, Arthur and Priscilla Dickson, and George and Olive Dolby. Claire was predeceased by her brother Paul Trahan, sister Cora Spencer, and sister Marcelle Wagoner.
Claire was born in New Bedford on September 12, 1919. She was the beloved daughter of the late Ulrich and Aldea Trahan. She spent her childhood years in New Bedford and Nantucket. It was upon going for a "weekend" visit to Martha's Vineyard that she met her future husband, Benjamin Coggins. She was married on May 25, 1943 in New Jersey, the day before her husband was deployed by the U.S. Army to England. He remained overseas on active duty for the next two and a half years. They reunited in New York City, where they finally enjoyed their honeymoon in the Big Apple for three weeks.
Claire worked in the family-owned Ben Franklin Store in Vineyard Haven for many years. She was a Cub Scout Den Mother, she taught religious education to elementary students as a member of St. Augustine's Catholic Church in Vineyard Haven, and worked for Vivian Wolfe Jewelers in Edgartown.
In her later years, she spent time visiting her children and grandchildren, and especially enjoyed cooking for the family get-togethers and attending their special events. She will be dearly missed and lovingly remembered by her family and all who were blessed to have met her. Among her many gifts were the right words to say to comfort or cheer those around her. All family members sought her for her wisdom, encouragement, and love.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Windemere Nursing and Rehabilitation Center in Oak Bluffs. This is a wonderful resource that supplies a vital service to the Island and its residents. Their care, understanding, and love for their guests will always be appreciated.
