Mary Louise Coghlan, a long-time resident of Marshall, TX., died at 8:30PM Friday, January 22, 2016 at the age of 92 surrounded by her loving family in the comfort of her own home.

Born February 28, 1923 in Middlesex, North Carolina to Charles W. and Leslie Strickland, Mary was a retired Army nurse, devoted mother, cherished friend, and philanthropist. She grew up with her 3 siblings in the Oxford, North Carolina Masonic Home. She graduated from the Watts Hospital School of Nursing in Durham, North Carolina, as a registered nurse in 1944, whereupon she joined the Army Nurse Corp as a lieutenant during WWII and served two years in the Philippines and Japan where she met and married her husband, Jack V. Coghlan, Jr., who was a decorated Air Force pilot. They were married 54 years before his death in June 2000.

She was an active member of the Marshall community and her church for 38 years. She volunteered her time to numerous charitable organizations and church activities, such as the Pink Ladies at Marshall Regional, Meals on Wheels, Salvation Army Angel Tree, Vacation Bible School, and she was a regular fixture at area nursing homes offering comfort, company, and a warm smile to those who needed it most. Her greatest pleasure in life was being with and entertaining her family, especially her 4 boys, and many friends in her home on 280 Thompson Rd.  She also loved traveling, playing bridge, and relaxing with a glass of wine. She will be remembered most for her irrepressible joy for life, effervescent smile, boundless love, and generosity.

Mary is survived by her beloved sons, Vincent of Tyler, TX. (wife, Marjorie), Patrick of Marshall, TX., Michael of Ovila, TX. (wife, Ginger), and Dennis of El Campo, TX, her grandchildren Shaylee, Codi, and Colten Coghlan, as well as, two step grandchildren Casey Weir and Cori Lay, her sister Dorothy Roberts of Roanoke, VA, her brother-in-law Howard Coghlan and sister-in-law Dr. Peggy Coghlan, and 12 nephews, nieces, and in-laws.

She is preceded in death by her husband Lt. Col. Jack V. Coghlan Jr., her brother Charles W. Strickland, her sister Sara Strickland, and her parents Charles and Leslie Strickland.