Claire Devine Coggins

Claire Devine Coggins, 93, passed away peacefully on September 5, 2025, with her husband of nearly 70 years, Pat, by her side. For seven decades, they shared a life of deep love and devotion — partners, companions, and best friends — traveling the world, ballroom dancing well into their 80s, and filling their home with faith, family, and friends.

Claire grew up in Chester, PA, and met her husband, Pat, when working at Sun Oil Company in the early 1950s. They were married in 1955, and when Pat completed Naval Officers Training, the couple spent their first years together stationed in Hawaii and Carmel, California. She relished her time as part of the Navy community, jumping into projects in military psychology at Fort Ord, and a program of redevelopment of pacific bases. These years also started a life of exploring the world. Claire and Pat traveled for business or pleasure to all the corners of the map, forming lasting relationships and a love of local cultures.

In 1968, Claire and Pat built a brick home in Radley Run, overlooking a farm and a beautiful lake, where they raised their four children — Patrick, Maureen, Claire, and Matthew — and lived for more than 50 years. While she wasn’t known for elaborate meals, she could make a perfect baked potato and her apple pie was legendary. Claire’s holiday decorations were works of art, and her meticulously neat kitchen the center of their home.

Claire had an impeccable sense of style — always the best dressed person in the room. When traveling, she packed each day’s outfit in separate bags, right down to the coordinating belt, scarf, and jewelry. She loved to shop (but never at full price), and her children have vivid and mildly traumatic memories of the communal dressing rooms at Loehmann’s in Drexel Hill.

Claire was committed to her children’s education, and navigated their schedules at schools across the Delaware Valley. A lifelong student herself, Claire returned to formal education in mid-life to complete two years of university study. She worked for years at Rouse and Associates, as the firm developed the Liberty Place complex that changed the skyline of Philadelphia.

Even in her later years, Claire remained radiant — a living advertisement for sunscreen and Pond’s cold cream. The compassionate staff at Stonegates cared for her with dignity, affection and love, often dressing her in stylish outfits — complete with lipstick and sunglasses — a reflection of her enduring grace.

Claire was preceded in death by her son Patrick Coggins, her sisters Eileen and Vera, and her parents Thomas and Winifred. She is survived by her beloved husband, Pat, and their children: Maureen Coggins (Tim Woodward) of East Greenville, PA; Claire Coggins (Dan Leung) of Wilmington, DE; and Matthew Coggins (Nora) of Boston, MA. She was the proud grandmother of seven grandchildren: Timmy Woodward, Jr., Atticus Woodward, Lincoln Woodward, Kieran Leung, Lily Leung, Owen Coggins, and Madeleine Coggins.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at St. Joseph on the Brandywine Church, 10 Old Church Road, Wilmington, DE, 19807, on Saturday, November 22, 2025 at 11:00 am. A Visitation will be held prior at the church from 10:00 to 11:00 am. Interment will follow in the St. Joseph on the Brandywine Cemetery.

Claire will be remembered for her elegance, her humor, and her unshakable devotion to her family.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation made in Claire’s memory to the Alzheimer’s Association, P.O. Box 96011, Washington, DC 20090-6011 (www.alz.org/).