Ruth Cathcart Coughlin passed away on March 16 on her 103rd birthday. Her goal was to make it to that day, and it seemed quite fitting that she did—celebrating with a special Mass and family gathering at her home on the eve of her birthday, a final occasion that allowed her to be surrounded by those she loved the most.
She entered into eternal life peacefully in the early-morning hours of her actual birthday. What a remarkable way to go out!
Mrs. Coughlin was a true icon to all who knew her, not simply for the length of her life but for the richness of it. She was the anchor of her family and friends, providing encouragement, strength, wisdom, and always an honest opinion.
She will be remembered for her spunk and sense of humor, her generosity, and her many talents—including her exceptional cooking, her gift for hosting beautiful gatherings, her thoughtful handwritten notes, and her exquisite sewing and stitching. She lived life fully for 103 years—a grand and gracious Southern lady with the faith and courage of a titan.
Mrs. Coughlin was born in Spartanburg, S.C., in 1923 to W.R. and Teresa Cathcart, the eldest of three children. Upon graduation from high school, she moved to Birmingham, Ala., to be closer to her grandmother and to attend nursing school at St. Vincent’s Hospital. In 1944, she graduated from the nursing program—remarkably as the only student from her original class of 18 to do so. Following graduation, she began her nursing career in Birmingham, where she lived with and cared for her grandmother until Mrs. Coughlin reached 30.
In 1953, Mrs. Coughlin decided it was time to broaden her horizons, so she joined the U.S. Navy. She was initially stationed at Bethesda Naval Hospital (now Walter Reed). As a Navy lieutenant, she made 28 transatlantic crossings during the mid-1950s, serving as the required female officer aboard Navy ships transporting military personnel and their families between the United States and West Germany during the Korean War. At that time, a female officer was assigned whenever women and children were on board, ensuring their care and well-being during the long journeys.
Mrs. Coughlin was later stationed at Corona Naval Hospital in southern California, where she met the love of her life and future husband, Dr. Dennis Coughlin, of Knoxville, who was serving as a Navy surgeon. Ruth and Dennis married in February 1958 on a snowy day in Birmingham. They immediately moved to Rochester, Minn., where Dr. Coughlin began his orthopedic residency at the Mayo Clinic.
While in Minnesota, their first two children were born. In 1961, they moved back to Knoxville, where Dr. Coughlin began his career in orthopedic medicine, and Mrs. Coughlin gave birth to three more children between 1961 and 1964.
Mrs. Coughlin was nearly 35 years old when she married and had always wanted a large family, which explained the joyful urgency with which she embraced bringing five children into the world in her first six years of marriage. She was a devoted mother and stayed busy with her children’s activities, ensuring regular church attendance, preparing wonderful meals, and often hosting gatherings of family or friends. She was an accomplished seamstress, often making clothes for her daughters, herself, and some of Dr. Coughlin’s trademark bow ties. She also learned to smock, creating several beautiful christening gowns for her grandchildren.
Mrs. Coughlin was active for many years with Knoxville Medical Auxiliary (now Knoxville Academy of Medicine Alliance) and served as a volunteer and fundraiser for The Boys and Girls Clubs of Tennessee. She also was very active in the Knoxville Symphony League, especially with the Symphony Showhouse Committee, and she enjoyed attending Knoxville Symphony Orchestra performances for years. In 2015, she had the privilege of participating in the Honor Air Knoxville Flight No. 18 with her son, Dennis, escorting her. She was the only female veteran on board with this group of Korean War veterans.
Mrs. Coughlin also played an integral role in promoting the vision for a new cathedral for the Diocese of Knoxville and was involved from the earliest stages of the Cathedral of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus building project. She took great pride and joy in the completion and dedication of the cathedral in 2018. Mrs. Coughlin was an active member of Sacred Heart Cathedral from 1961 until her passing, and her faith remained a guiding force throughout her life.
Mrs. Coughlin was preceded in death by her parents, W.R. and Teresa Cathcart; her husband, Dr. Dennis Coughlin Jr.; her daughter, Mary Louise Coughlin Dubay; her son-in-law, Michael Gray; her brothers W.R. “Buddy” Cathcart Jr. (Bobbie) and Thomas Riley Cathcart; and several cousins, nieces, and nephews.
She is survived by her sons, Dennis Coughlin III (Cindy), Mark Coughlin, and Steven Coughlin; daughter Annemarie Coughlin Gray; former daughter-in-law, Kim Coughlin Millsaps; son-in-law, Duane Dubay; grandchildren, Hannah Coughlin Royer (Josh), Dennis Coughlin IV (Sarah Lauren), Megan McClamroch (John Cho), Will McClamroch, John McClamroch, and Mary Lindley Gray; and great-grandchildren: Jay, Maggie, and Riley Royer, and RuthAnn Coughlin.
The family would like to express their heartfelt gratitude to Mrs. Coughlin’s devoted team of caregivers: Kim Millsaps, Karen LaSorsa, Kelly Wylie, Angela Evan, Jacqueline Evan, Donna Boling, and Jennifer Hanson; to UT Hospice; and to her church family at the Cathedral of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus, especially Father David Boettner and Father Martin Gladysz.
A celebration of life service and funeral Mass were celebrated at the Cathedral of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus on March 26, with Father Boettner serving as the celebrant and Father Gladysz and Father Danny Herman serving as concelebrants. Deacon Walt Otey assisted at the Mass. A burial service at Berry Highland Memorial Cemetery in Knoxville followed.
Donations in Mrs. Coughlin’s memory may be made to the Cathedral of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus, 711 S. Northshore Drive, Knoxville, TN 37919, AGAPE Outreach Homes Inc., 5403 Jacksboro Pike, Knoxville, TN, 37918, or the charity of your choice.