Elizabeth A. Coan

Weston – Mrs. Elizabeth A. (Paul) Coan, of Weston, died Saturday, December 3, 2016 at Wayside Hospice in Wayland. She was 94.

Born on March 11, 1922 in Proctor, Vermont she was a daughter of the late Alex and Mary (Steckle) Paul. She graduated from Pittsford High School and earned her registered nurse certificate from Mary Fletcher Hospital School. She honorably served her country in the United States Navy as an Ensign in the Nurse Corps during World War II.

Her work at the Chelsea Navy Hospital introduced her to Edmund J. Coan whom she later married in St. Alphonsus Church in Pittsford on September 19, 1948. They lived in Roslindale for 12 years before moving to Weston in 1960. She worked for a period as head research nurse at the former Massachustts Memorial Hospital in Boston and then stayed at home to raise her children.

She was a longtime member of Saint Julia's Parish where she belonged to its Ladies Sodality and was a volunteer and director of its thrift shop. Elizabeth worked for the Town of Weston in the polls as an election clerk. She also volunteered for many years at the Weston Elementary School in its library. She was a registered nurse with the American Red Cross and held her nurses licenses in both Massachusetts and Vermont.

In addition to her husband, Edmund, she is predeceased by her siblings, Charles, George, Arthur and Zoltan Paul, Emma Catherine Marsh and Helen O'Brian.

She leaves her children, Elizabeth A. Rezende and her husband, Hillary Rezende, of St. Croix, Virgin Islands, Edmund J. Coan, Jr. and his wife, Pamela, of Alexandra, Virginia, Paul E. Coan of Weston and James A. Coan and his wife, Diana, of Essex, Connecticut; her grandchildren, Jeffrey and Elaine Rezende, Bethany and Cierra Coan, Peter Kyle Sheffield and Gordon Sheffield; her great-grandchildren, Vivien Margaret Sheffield and Pierson Kyle Sheffield and several nieces & nephews.

Family and friends will honor and remember Elizabeth's life by gathering for calling hours in The Joyce Funeral Home, 245 Main Street (Rte. 20), Waltham on Friday, December 9th from 4 to 7 p.m. and again at 9 a.m. on Saturday morning before leaving in procession to Saint Julia's Church, 374 Boston Post Rd., Weston where her Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 10 a.m. Burial will follow in Linwood Cemetery, Weston.

Memorial donations may be made to March of Dimes National Office, 1275 Mamaroneck Avenue, White Plains, NY 10605.