NK Woman Celebrates 110th Birthday

Katherine Coughlin (née McDevitt) was born on Dec. 21, 1903 – just four days after the first flight of the Wright Brothers. One hundred and ten years later, Coughlin was surrounded by friends and remaining family as she celebrated her 110th birthday. 

When those at Scalabrini Villa Health Care Center in North Kingstown (where she has lived since 2007) asked her if she was excited about her upcoming birthday, she told them, "No. I have had a hundred of them."

A lifelong Rhode Islander, Coughlin was born in Providence before moving to Cranston after her marriage to husband Charles in 1924.

One of her favorite hobbies was knitting, which she did during wartime to send to soldiers overseas. She stopped when the war was over. She was among one of the first employees at jewelry company Trifari, Krussman and Fishel in 1939. After 37 years with the company, Coughlin retired in 1976 at the age of 73. 

Retirement did not slow down Coughlin, as she continued to drive until her 100th birthday. She also continued to travel, another one of her hobbies. One of her most memorable trips was to Ireland when she was 90 years old. 

When asked what is the most important thing she's learned in her 110 years on this planet, Coughlin answered, "Don't have any plans. Don't plan anything out."