Mary (Andrade) Coffin

         Mary L. (Andrade) Coffin was called home by the angels on April 18, 2023 at the age of 89. Mary, who had called Watertown home for many years, passed away in her home in Middleboro, surrounded by the love of her family.

        Mary grew up in Cambridge, Massachusetts and graduated from Cambridge High and Latin. As a child Mary spent time visiting her grandmother on her farm in Biddeford, Maine and enjoyed gardening throughout her life. Mary met the love of her life, John, and they were married in 1955 at St. Peter’s Church in Cambridge. They settled in Watertown, where they raised their family of seven children.  Mary, an LPN, worked nights at McLean Hospital in Belmont while her children grew up and then became a unit administrator, working the day shift when they were older. Family vacations were spent camping out at Otter River State Forest. Mary liked to bowl and in addition to being a member of local bowling leagues, she was a contestant on a local TV bowling program, Candlepins for Cash, where she rolled a strike to win money. After her retirement from McLean Hospital, Mary joined her daughter and her family in Middleboro. In addition to helping with childcare for her three grandsons, Mary became a member of the Middleboro Senior Center where she participated in a range of activities and trips. You could find her on the sidelines during Little League season cheering the boys on.

         Mary experienced great joy in her life and also great sorrow. She lost her son Robert and husband John within two years of one another and most recently her grandson John. It was through these trials and tribulations that you saw her strength and fortitude and her unwavering commitment to family.  

        When the opportunity presented itself, Mary would head to Maine where she enjoyed vacationing at the ocean in Old Orchard Beach. One of her memorable trips was  to Portugal with her daughter, brother and sister to visit Madeira and Lisbon, where her parents had come from.

        Mary is survived by her son John “Jack” Coffin Jr., of McKinney, Texas, her daughter Linda McIntyre, of White River Junction, Vermont, her daughter Marlene Shelters & her husband Don of Middleboro, her son and daughter-in-law  Leo & Cindy Coffin of Watertown, her daughter and son-in-law Eileen & Bill Schwalm of Billerica and her son Christopher Coffin of Cambridge. She was grandmother,  “Gram” or Mimi” to Joey, Danny and Matthew Mcintyre, Eric, Joshua and DJ Shelters, Brianna Kelly, Richard, Danielle and Jacquelynn Schwalm and Alexandra Birely. She was great grandmother to Juliette McIntyre, Benjamin and Skyla McIntyre, Kevin and Conor Shelters, Isla Shelters, Dillan, Annabella and Thallia Kelly, and Cameron and Rowan Birely. Mary was the eldest of her siblings and is survived by her brother Louis Andrade of Waltham and Anita Sutherland of Action. Mary was predeceased by her parents, Louis and Bella Andrade, her husband, John Coffin Sr., her son Robert Coffin, her daughter-in-law Kathleen Coffin, her son-in-law Joe Mcintyre and her grandson John L. Coffin and her siblings Eleanor Hall and Ann Andrade.

       Family and friends are welcome to come celebrate Mary’s life by gathering in the Nardone Funeral Home, 373 Main Street, Watertown, on Friday from 3-6pm and again on Saturday at 10am, followed by an 11am funeral mass at St. Luke’s Church, Lexington Street, Belmont.  Burial will be in Ridgelawn Cemetery. 

In lieu of flowers please make donations to: East Coast Jumbos, P.O. BOX 122, Hopkinton, MA 01748.

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