Patricia M. Coghlan

Patricia Matthews Coghlan
Patricia 'Patty' Matthews Coghlan, 90, of North Hills and formerly Beaver Falls, passed away peacefully on March 5, 2016, surrounded by family at the Vincentian Home where she had been a resident since August 2015. Patricia was the daughter of the late Dr. and Mrs. Robert Archibald and Rose Ryan Matthews and the beloved wife of the late Dr. William Coghlan.
Patty is survived by her children Ann (Peter) Stowe, Patrick (Deedy), Matthew, and Kevin (Jisen); grandchildren Kate (Matt) Shaine, Will (Elspeth), Madden, Sarah, and Liam; great grandchildren, Matty, Gus, Ellie, and James; and half-sisters Jeanne Lerner, Sandra Wolf, Barbara W. Milich, and Ann W. Massaro.
In addition to her parents she was preceded in death by her husband of 35 years, William Coghlan.
Patricia was born and raised in Philadelphia. She attended the Friends Select School, graduating in 1942. Following high school Patty attended Smith College leaving after her junior year to marry the love of her life, medical student Bill Coghlan on July 13, 1945
Patricia later returned to college graduating with a degree in History in 1970 from Geneva College in Beaver Falls, PA. She subsequently continued her education at the University of Pittsburgh, obtaining a Masters in Library Science in the 1970's.
Patricia began work as a health science librarian in the Beaver County area prior to completing her masters and subsequently become the Director of the Health Science Library for the Medical Center of Beaver County. She worked there from 1971 until her retirement in 1989.
Of the many boards and committee's Patty served on, the Board of State College and University Directors (SCUD) was of special importance to her. As an adult and recent college graduate in 1970, she was appointed by Governor Milton J. Shapp to serve on the newly created Board. She served on the 15 member board with such notable individuals as the late Ralph J. Roberts, President, Comcast Corp. and the late Caryl M. Kline, former Secretary of Education in Pennsylvania. Patty served on the SCUD for 10 years and was designated as the Chairman of the board in 1978. She talked often of the importance of education and relished her role on the SCUD board and the opportunity to work with the Pennsylvania State Colleges and University.
After Patty retired from the Medical Center of Beaver County she became increasingly active with, The Order of Franciscans Minor, Capuchin. She took on the task, on a volunteer basis, of organizing, managing and consolidating 3 Capuchin library collections into one. She organized all the library holdings and computerized the entire collection. As a result of her dedication to the Capuchins she was honored in January 2009 and made an Affiliate of the order.
Patty was an avid reader and political "junkie". She was a patron and attendee of the Pittsburgh Symphony for over 40 years and enjoyed the music and arts of the Chautauqua Institution in Chautuauqua, New York, where she spent 2 weeks each summer with family and friends.
Friends will be received at the Hill and Kunselman Funeral Home, www.hillandkunselman.com., 3801-4th Ave., Beaver Falls PA, on Thursday from 2-4 p.m. and 6-8 p,m., where prayers will be recited on Friday at 10 a.m. followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 11 a.m. in Saints Peter and Paul Catholic Church, 200 3rd St., Beaver, PA 15009.
Private interment in St. Mary Cemetery, Chippewa Township.
In lieu of flowers, donations in her memory may be made to Capuchin Franciscan Friars 220 37th St. Pgh, PA 15201, online donations www.capuchin.com., or to the Vincentian Charitable Foundation

8250 Babcock Blvd, Pgh, PA 15237, the Chautauqua Foundation, PO Box 28Chautauqua, NY 14722, The Western PA Humane Society 1101 Western Ave, Pgh, PA 15233.