Sr. Mary Christina Coughlin

Albany- Sister Mary Christina Coughlin [Marion] died peacefully, November 8, 2025, in Albany Medical Center, Albany, New York. Beloved family members, and Sister Eleanor Guerin were with her. Sister passed as, just down the road, in the convent chapel where she prayed every day, those attending Mass were singing the Litany of the Saints.

Born in Troy, New York, January 29, 1929, she was the daughter of the late Dr. John H.F. Coughlin Sr. and Marion Jackson Coughlin. She entered the Sisters of Mercy on September 8, 1947 and ministered for 68 years. Sister Christina studied nursing at St. Peter’s Hospital School of Nursing and continued her education at Duquesne University.She began her Mercy ministry at Blessed Sacrament School in Albany. After a year there, she ministered for 47 years as a nurse and in supervisory positions in nursing at St. Peter’s Hospital. Her final ministry at the hospital was with the Tumor Registry. After leaving St. Peter’s, Sister volunteered through Catholic Charities, assisting in their Respite Program. She also volunteered in the Community Archives. Sister Christina embodied Catherine McAuley’s model of contemplation and action, as well as her vision of Mercy hospitality. She treated others with sincere compassion and respect. In her retirement years, Sister Christina prayed in the chapel each day. She also spoke her mind about any injustice she saw. Even as her health and mobility diminished, she continued to do as much good as she could, whenever she could. She showed sincere concern for every person she met, and she greeted everyone with a smile, extending Mercy hospitality to Sisters, family, visitors and strangers.Sister Christina was proud of her Irish heritage and her Troy roots. She held a deep love for her family and enjoyed celebrating their milestones and accomplishments with them. She was predeceased by her parents, and her brothers, Dr. John Coughlin, Jr. (Doris), Thomas Coughlin (Betty Ann) and their wives. She is also survived by her nieces, nephews, their families and her Community, the Sisters of Mercy. A special thank you to Sister Christina’s medical team, the Sisters and staff at the Convent of Mercy who loved and cared for her, and those at Albany Med, who provided tender care in her final days.

Relatives and friends are invited to attend the reception of Sister Christina’s body and wake service, on Wednesday, November 12, 2025, at 4 p.m. at the Chapel of the Convent of Mercy, 634 New Scotland Avenue, Albany. Visitation will follow until 7pm. The Liturgy of Christian Death and Burial will be celebrated in the Chapel on Thursday, November 13, 2025 at 10:30 a.m. Interment will follow in Holy Sepulchre Cemetery, East Greenbush.

Contributions in Sister Christina’s memory may be made to the Sisters of Mercy, 634 New Scotland Avenue, Albany, New York 12208.