Anne E. Coghlan
Anne E. Coghlan, renowned biomedical ethicist and life-long resident of Milton, died in her Fuller Village home Monday June 11, 2012. She was the daughter of the late William and Alice (Blake) Coghlan. After graduating fromSimmonsCollegein 1948, Dr. Coghlan received a Master of Education in 1953 from Boston University, a Master of Science in 1957 from the University of Vermont and a Ph.D. in 1965 from the University of Rhode Island. Anne returned to her alma mater, Simmons College, to teach where she remained for 35 years as Professor of Biology, Chair of the Biology Department and Dean of Sciences. When Dr. Coghlan retired in 1993,SimmonsCollegeestablished the Anne Coghlan Fund for Student Research in her honor. In 1998, she was awarded an honorary Doctor of Science degree fromSimmonsCollege. The following year at its Centennial,SimmonsCollegerecognized Dr. Coghlan as one of the ten outstanding teachers of the century. Dr. Coghlan epitomized civic commitment through her continuous service to the Town ofMiltonand its school system. A Town Meeting Member from 1972 to 1998, Anne served as the first woman Chair of the Warrant Committee. Dr. Coghlan also served as Chair of both the High School Science Study & Building Committee and the Library Study Committee. The Town ofMiltonhonored Dr. Coghlan by naming her Town Club Citizen of the Year in 1992 and by naming the high school science wing for her in 1996. She received the Outstanding Graduate Award from Milton High School. Dr. Coghlan was former Chair of the Board of Directors of Milton Hospital and Chair of its Ethics Committee. She was awarded the Milton Hospital Award for Excellence in Leadership in 2005. Anne was a Board Member of the Milton Visiting Nurses Association where she also chaired the Ethics Committee. Dr. Coghlan also served as President of the Milton Foundation for Education and Trustee of the Cunningham Foundation and Park. Anne was a former Trustee of Fontbonne Academy andRegisCollegeand also a member of the Board of Directors of Milton Fuller Housing Corporation from 1997 to the present. Dr. Coghlan is survived by many dear friends and will be greatly missed. Interment will be private. A memorial service will be held on Tuesday, June 26 at 5 p.m. at Fuller Village, 1372 Brush Hill Road, Milton. Contributions in Dr. Coghlan’s name may be made to the Milton Foundation for Education, P.O. Box 223, Milton, MA 02186 orto the Anne Coghlan Fund for Student Research atSimmonsCollege, c/o Development Office, 300 The Fenway,Boston,MA02115.
Guestbook Entries
I met Anne when I worked at Simmons as a Electricians helper. I never knew a person of her stature could be so frendly and down to earth. I met her again, years later, and she remembered me. she was a very special person.
Anne hired me as a new Biology faculty member at Simmons College in 1977. It was a leap of faith on her part, and I never forgot the confidence she had in me. She was a wonderful mentor, colleague and friend for many years. Her dedication to her students (“kiddos”) was legendary, and I always tried to emulate her commitment to her profession. She had a rich and full life with her career, her friends and her Milton community. I will miss her greatly.
As a colleague at Simmons, I was priviliged to work with Anne in various ways over many years. She was a remarkable and admirable person. Her strength and resolve were tempered by wisdom and kindness. Her dedication to her students, to Simmons and to her community was extrordinary. After retirement I looked forward each Christmas to Anne’s card and the news and kind words she included. I shall miss her.