of Narragansett, Rhode Island, died on December 4, 2017 at home surrounded by her family.  She was born August 7, 1937 in Halifax, Nova Scotia, to James and Geneva (Murray) Coughlan.  Eileen grew up in Halifax, Nova Scotia, graduated from Mount St. Vincent College in Literature and earned a graduate degree from Dalhousie University in Education. In 1958 she moved to New York City to study voice at the Juilliard School of Music.  During her time in New York she met her loving husband of 58 years, Thomas Joseph Farrell, who survives her.  After living in New York and Massachusetts, Eileen and her family moved in 1970 to Narragansett, Rhode Island to live by the ocean which has been an integral part of their family life.

Eileen devoted the early years of marriage to caring for her five children before beginning a twenty year career with Perspectives, Inc. where she served as the Residential Director of a home for adults with developmental disabilities, a cause that was important to Eileen throughout her life.  Gifted with a beautiful soprano voice, Eileen played the lead in the Straight Wharf Theatre’s summer stock production of “Carnival” on Nantucket Island in the late 1960’s as well as performing with varied choral groups over the years. She enjoyed singing for family and friends and her CD “Love Always” is a cherished possession of many of those who loved her.  She was a talented ice skater in her youth and greatly enjoyed travel, including annual trips home to Nova Scotia, to South Bend, Indiana for Notre Dame football games and to the Saratoga Racetrack annual meet in August as well as many trips abroad.

Those who knew her well will remember her positive personality.  She was giving of herself to others and lived a life seemingly without ego or selfishness. Our lives will not be the same without her.

In addition to her husband Tom, Eileen is survived by their five children Maureen Farrell of Jamestown, Rhode Island, Sharon (Farrell) McIntyre and husband Michael McIntyre of South Portland, Maine, Mary Lou (Farrell) Gardner and husband Mark Gardner of Collierville, Tennessee, Erin (Farrell) FitzGerald and husband Sean FitzGerald of Jamestown, Rhode Island and Thomas J. Farrell Jr. of Wickford, Rhode Island and daughter in law Mary Ellen Farrell.  She is also survived by her nine grandchildren Holly, Kelsey, Nicholas, Brian, James, Sean, Liam, Kseniya and Nora; her sister Moira Cottam of Halifax, Nova Scotia, her brother James Coughlan Jr. and his wife Gloria of Halifax, Nova Scotia, and her sister-in-law Anne Coughlan of Prince Edward Island as well as seventeen nieces and nephews. 

Mrs. Farrell is preceded in death by her brothers Harold and Terrence Coughlan and her sister Margaret Coughlan.

The Farrell family would like to thank the dedicated team of doctors, nurses and staff in the Program in Women’s Oncology at Women and Infant’s Hospital in Providence, Rhode Island for its care and attention to Eileen over the past four years as well as the nurses of Hope Hospice & Palliative Care in Wakefield, RI for their care and support for Eileen at home.

Funeral from the NARDOLILLO FUNERAL HOME - SOUTH COUNTY CHAPEL, 1111 Boston Neck Rd. (Rt. 1A), Narragansett on Saturday at 8:45 a.m., followed by a Mass of Christian Burial in St. Bernard’s Church, 275 Tower Hill Rd., North Kingstown at 10 a.m.  Burial will be at St. Francis Cemetery, Wakefield. VISITING HOURS are Friday from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to: The Izzy Foundation (https://www.theizzyfoundation.org). 

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