Mary Alice Coughlin

Mary A. (Bair) Coughlin, age 96, of Toledo, Ohio decided that she had grown weary of reading all the online obituaries. They just weren’t the same with the Toledo Blade only having two paper editions weekly. She was sick and tired of this “darn” COVID that kept her from shopping at Dillard’s and Kohl’s after a nice Saturday breakfast out with family, the way she used to so enjoy. Alas, Mary decided it was time to hit the road…. On Saturday, December 4, 2021, at 11:11 a.m., Mary finally let go, with the sun shining brightly on her face, just the way she wanted, at the home she built with her husband Frank W. Coughlin 71 years ago. She was surrounded by family in the same room where Frank passed away on January 18, 1976.

We all were blessed with many valuable life lessons during her 96 years. She was our constant supporter and was never afraid to let you know if she thought you were getting it wrong.  One of the most important things she taught us was that you can never have too much toilet paper and it is unacceptable to run out. Next, you should always keep things in the same place. Don’t move the stuff around, just put it back where it belongs. If you are having a rough day, beer helps. You should drink more of it. Doesn’t matter what kind it is as long as it’s cold. Balance your checkbook. Down to the penny… “CASH the check I gave you six months ago, honey….it throws off my accounting.”

Mary loved the 30 years that we all enjoyed the pool in her backyard and the endless games of Euchre. That pool was the glue that kept our family together. Oh, the stories that can be told…family, friends, neighbors, music, love and laughter. She loved her travels to Hollywood, Florida in her younger years. She later cherished winters in Myrtle Beach with her beloved cousins, Pat and Pete Carlo, and all the dear friends she made over the years at Sea Oats, where she enjoyed her daily five-mile walks on the beach.

Mary was born on October 15, 1925, to Harold and Alice (Temple) Bair, in Findlay, Ohio. She attended Waite High School. During her working years, she worked at the I.R.S., Libbey Owens Ford and Raceway Park, where she was a bookkeeper. Her most revered jobs were that of mother, grandmother, cousin, aunt, neighbor and friend to so many.

Left to treasure all of the wonderful memories of her long and happy life are her daughters, Tonda VanGunten (Jim Mayes), of Toledo, Ohio and Marsha (John) Talip, of Ottawa Lake, Michigan;  her daughter in- law, Becky Henderly of Swanton, Ohio; seven beloved grandchildren, Carri VanGunten (Marty Goff) of Sylvania, Ohio, Lori (Todd) Hill of Toledo, Ohio, Amber VanGunten (David Childers) of Sylvania, Ohio, Marcie Henderly of Toledo, Ohio, Chad Sr. (Christine) Henderly of  Perrysburg, Ohio, Justin (Lisa) Talip of Lawrenceburg, Kentucky, Autumn VanGunten (Cedric Smith) of Macon, Georgia; her great-grandchildren, Travis (Danica) Gineman of Swanton, Ohio, Ryan (Missa) Hill, of Maumee, Ohio, Trent (Calvin Luna) Gineman, of Columbus, Ohio, Rachel Hill (Sean Mallory) of Toledo, Ohio, Madison Henderly of Perrysburg, Ohio, Chad Henderly, Jr. of Perrysburg, Caden Talip of Lawrenceburg, Kentucky, Jada and Lance Nofzinger, of Sylvania, Ohio; and her great-great-grandchildren, Ellison Gineman, Jade Gineman, Harper Hill and Myla Hill;  and lastly her special nephew, Gary (Julie) Bair.

Mary had so many loved ones, family, and friends that kicked the bucket before she did, and we know they have been awaiting her arrival; these were her parents, Harold and Alice Bair; the love of her life, Frank W. Coughlin; her brother, Robert Bair and dear sister-in-law Jeri Bair; her son David Lee Henderly; special cousins and best friends, Patsy and Pete Carlo; and her great-grandson Drew Nofzinger.

The family would like to thank Dr. Donald Vogel for the loving care he provided, her life-long neighbor Jeff Miller and Promedica Hospice for helping us fulfill her final wishes.

Family and friends may visit the Freck Funeral Chapel, 1155 S. Wynn Rd in Oregon on Wednesday, December 8, 2021 from 10:00 a.m. until 11:00 a.m. where the funeral service will be held at 11:00 a.m. Mary will be laid to rest at St. Ignatius Cemetery. Memorial contributions in her name may be made to Promedica Hospice or the American Heart Association.