Sister Mary Thomas Eileen Coha, C. S. J
Sister Mary Thomas Eileen Coha, “T. E.” C. S. J., age 91. Beloved member of The Congregation of St. Joseph, celebrating 68 years of Religious Life. Loving daughter of the late Nicholas and the late Amelia (nee Gaspert) Coha. Devoted sister of the late Stefania Coha, Thomas (late Geraldine) Coha, and the late Helen (late Tony) Kovacevic. Dear step-daughter of the late John Klancir. Cherished step-sister of the late Laurence and John Klancir. Fond aunt of Kathleen (late Robert) Drenth, Linda (Arthur) Warner, Timothy and Thomas (Paula) Coha. Dear great-aunt of 2 grandnephews and 2 grandnieces. Sr. Thomas Eileen was a 1948 graduate of Nazareth Academy. Her ministry began in 1954 and until 1972, she served as Prefect for younger students at Our Lady of Bethlehem Boarding School for girls in LaGrange Park. At the close of the school, she was very involved in various internal ministries serving The Congregation of St. Joseph Community from 1972 to 2020. She was a Food Services Assistant for the Cenacle Retreat Center in Warrenville, Illinois from 1986 to 1991. Services and interment private. Arrangements entrusted to Hallowell & James Funeral Home at 708/352-6500
Dear T. E. Just your Band member saying our time in Formation has many happy memories for me, and now we are beginning to inhabit Heaven with our beloved Lord. You and Sr. George Ellen are living “The Best is Yet to Come.” You have given so many years of your life to support and care about others. Thank you! I love your smile. That’s how you lived.
J.T. . . . Eleanore (Lee) Mate
I called Sr. Thomas Eileen my second mother. I knew her over 60 years. She was my prefect at OLB from grades 2-4. I will always remember the twinkle in her eye, her slightly impish ways and the way she would grab my arm and say, “Oh Debbie!” T.E. taught me and many other girls the love of playing baseball (the only sport I really liked), how to help and love others. Sister is greatly missed and my heart is sad that she won’t be in LaGrange when I visit. But my heart is also happy that she is with her family and Sr. Adrienne in heaven.
She was my great aunt. I loved her dearly. We would write to each other and even though I didn’t see her too often, as distance kept us apart I knew we always had a special bond.
She is a caring soul who will be remembered always.
She was my great aunt. She was the most wonderful person. I was extremely close to her as a child, even through my adult years we would write to each other regularly and send photos. She was very special and she will be missed dearly. Those who have met her know just how beautiful she was how how big of a heart she had.