Mary Ann Coffin

Mary Ann Coffin (Regan, né Dickert), (1 April 1938 – 25 May 2025).

Force of nature, loving mother, wife, and cherished friend to so many, including many beloved four-legged friends.

Mary Ann was born in Racine, Wisconsin to Anthony Louis “Duke” Dickert and Mae Genevive (Carbonneau) Dickert, both of Racine, the eldest daughter in a family of seven children.

Growing up in Racine, Mary Ann entered a convent school in her early teens with the intention of becoming a nun, but left before taking her final vows, much to the relief of her (eventual) children. Nevertheless, she continued to live a life guided by her deep faith, marked by humility and self-sacrifice.

After receiving a bachelor’s degree in journalism at Marquette University, Mary Ann was charmed by a young coast guardsman from Massachusetts whom she met on a blind date. They married and moved to Boston in the late 60s, then Lowell in the early 70s, producing four children along the way. Following their divorce, Mary Ann shepherded her young children through many tumultuous years as a single mother with limited means but boundless patience, love, humor, and the support of a large, caring network of friends.

Love struck unexpectedly in her 60s in the form of Raymond Coffin, a bachelor and retired travel agent in his 70s. They married in 2004 in a union that provided love and companionship during their later years, until Ray’s passing in April 2024.

Mary Ann had a passion for helping people, meeting them where they were with love and acceptance and watching them grow. She worked in the human resources department at Community Teamwork, Inc. for over 20 years, rising to lead the department before retiring in her early 70s. A friend of Bill W. for over 40 years, she enjoyed serving as a sponsor to many new to the program, guiding them with equal doses of honesty, compassion, and tough love.

Mary Ann is survived by her geographically dispersed children (whom she stayed in touch and shared weather reports with daily via her trusty iPad): John Regan and his wife Sarah of California, Bridget Regan and her partner Ken Little of New Hampshire, Carrie Regan and her husband John Dandelski of Tennessee, and Chris Regan and his wife Christina Caines of Hawaii, as well as her son-in-law Sean Casey of New Hampshire and beloved grandchildren Hannah, Liam, Michael, Kaitlyn, Amelia, and Marshall. She was preceded in death by husband Ray Coffin, her parents and brothers Lee, Jim, and David Dickert, all of Racine, WI, and is survived by sisters Cathryn Scoville of Connecticut, Carole Dickert-Scherr of Washington, DC, and Margie Burgess of Wisconsin, as well as countless adored nieces and nephews who will miss her (unintentionally) funny Facebook posts. She also leaves behind a cherished community of friends who’ve been a tremendous source of strength and support over the years.

Funeral services are being provided by Mahoney Funeral Home of 187 Nesmith St. in Lowell. A wake to celebrate Mary Ann will be held on Monday, June 2, 2025, at the Immaculate Conception Church from noon to 2 PM, followed by a funeral Mass at 2 PM and reception in the church’s lower hall.

In lieu of flowers, we ask friends to donate in Mary Ann’s name to The Open Pantry of Lowell, MA https://theopenpantry.org/ and/or Riverbend’s recovery services https://riverbendmv.org/

For those who can not attend the funeral mass will be streamed for live viewing or for viewing after the service is completed at: https://www.facebook.com/mahoneyfuneralhome/videos/