Catherine 'Kay' A. Coen, 93

Catherine "Kay" A. Coen, 93

TILTON — Catherine "Kay" A. Coen, 93, of Tilton, died peacefully at her home on March 21, 2017.

Born in Boston's Dorchester section, she was the second child of John Coffey and Agnes (Regan) Coffey.

She was a beloved daughter, sister and cherished mother, grandmother and great-grandmother.

Kay graduated from Franklin High School in 1941 and soon after married Harry G. Coen. During World War II she worked at a munitions factory in Hartford, Connecticut.

After the war they started the Tilton Laundry and Dry Cleaners in the barn of their house. Kay operated this business for many years and when her children were older, she also worked evenings as a cocktail waitress at the New Hampshire Highway Hotel in Concord. After Kay gave up the laundry business, she continued working at the hotel at night and attended beauty school during the day. She opened Kay's Beauty Shoppe in her home and eventually worked in her shop full-time. In her later years, Kay also worked weekends as evening receptionist for the Merrimack County Home.

She also became interested in local politics and often wrote letters to the editor.

She loved her family and animals, especially her many cats. She lived in her home for 69 years and enjoyed decorating it. She also enjoyed sewing, ceramics, watching the Boston Red Sox and CNN. She was a longtime member of Our Lady of the Assumption Church Parish in Tilton, and enjoyed helping others.

Besides her parents, Kay was predeceased by her sister and brother-in-law, Marie and Bob Davidson; brother John and sister-in-law Arlene Coffey; sister and brother-in-law Anna and Mickey Buchalski; and her beloved son, Thomas Coen.

She is survived by her brother, Thomas (Lynn) Coffey; sister-in-law, Dorothy Ackerman; son, John (Kathryn Harvey) Coen; daughter and caregiver Patty Benoit, daughter Cindie (Paul) Shibata; daughter-in-law Bernadette Coen Hunter; four grandchildren, four great-grandchildren and a host of nieces and nephews.

Her daughter, Patty, lovingly cared for her for more than 20 years. Kay's family extends their deepest gratitude to Patty and the Visiting Nurse Association and Hospice Care.

Visiting hours will be held Sunday, March 26, from 3 to 5 p.m. at Paquette-Neun Funeral Home, 104 Park St., Northfield. A Mass celebrating Kay's life will be held Monday, March 27, at 10 a.m. in St. Mary of The Assumption Church, Tilton. Spring burial will be in Holy Cross Cemetery, Franklin.

Donations may be made to the Franklin VNA and Hospice, 75 Chestnut St., Franklin, NH 03235, or the Tilton-Northfield Fire Dept. and EMS, 12 Center St., Tilton, NH 03276.

For directions and an online guestbook, please visit www.neunfuneralhomes.com