Catherine Anne Coakley
Born In: Sydney Mines
Passed on: June 10th, 2015
Catherine departed this world on June 10, 2015, peacefully, while sleeping. The youngest child of Lithuanian immigrants John (Jonah) and Eva (Yeva) Rogers (Rudzevicius), Kay was a lifelong resident of Sydney Mines. Naturally athletic, she spent her summers swimming near the family home at the “big pond” and at Florence Beach. It was there she met fellow swimmer Alex Coakley. They married when Kay was 20, and for the next 36 years they were rarely apart. Alex worked at the Sydney Mines wash plant, while Kay ran a seamstress shop in town. Later, she was a bookkeeper at Layton’s Lumber. On most summer evenings, you could find Kay and Alex swimming at Florence Beach. They took yearly motor trips to Halifax, Toronto and Brooklyn to visit her brothers and sisters. In New York they went to Broadway shows, and followed the Yankees. In later years they enjoyed walking and salmon fishing along the Margaree River. When Alex passed away in 1978, Kay took solace in her Catholic faith and volunteerism. A member and former president of St. Pius X CWL, she also served on the parish council, as a lector, choir member and church bookkeeper. As well, she was committed to the work of Foster Parents Plan of Canada, personally sponsoring children in developing countries for over four decades. Kay was active in the Sydney Mines Fun Band, and the Senior Citizens and Pensioners' Club. And she continued to love travel, especially cruises. She was a great letter writer, corresponding with friends and relatives, here and in Lithuania. She had a deep affection for and maintained contact with Nat (Yannish) Love, Toronto, Julia Gabris, Truro and Dalia Vilkatriene, Lithuania.
She was the aunt of Beverly MacLean (Hall), Sydney, John Rogers (Monica), Glace Bay, Valerie Feltham, Sydney Mines, John Thomas Rogers (Eileen), Lockport, New York, Michael Rogers (Anne), Bridgewater, Celina Foran, Ernie Rogers (Minah) and Cecil Rogers, (Lynne) all of Halifax, Mary Ferguson (Dave), Martin’s River, Sharon Cuddy (Bill), Tiltsonburg, Ont. and Eva Vanek (Joe), Youngstown, Ohio. She is also survived by sister-in-law, Mary (Legatto) Rogers, Bridgewater. Kay will be remembered by many godchildren, grandnieces and grandnephews.
Along with her parents and husband, Kay was predeceased by brothers, Joe, John (Pin) and Charles (Doc); sisters, Mary Viladeasau, Grace Nicholson and Annie and Maggie in infancy. She was also predeceased by nephews, Alex Rogers, John Rogers, Ray Viladeasau and niece, Dorothy (Viladeasau) Jenkins.
Visitation for Kay Coakley will be held in J. M. Jobes Funeral Home, 635 Main St., Sydney Mines, on Sunday, June 14, 2015, from 2-4 p.m. A celebration of her life will be held on Monday, at 10 a.m. in Holy Family Church, with Fr. Everett MacDow officiating. Interment will be in St. Joseph Cemetery.
Words of comfort may be forwarded to the family at www.jmjobesfuneralhome.com.
"She was unwavering, compassionate and wise.
We will miss her."
