Judy Coughlin, wife of former Jacksonville Jaguars coach Tom Coughlin, dies at the age of 77

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Judy Coughlin, the wife of former Jacksonville Jaguars and New York Giants coach Tom Coughlin, has died at the age of 77, according to a statement released by the Coughlin family on Wednesday morning.

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“My cherished wife and our beloved mother and grandmother, Judy Whitaker Coughlin, passed away this morning at the age of 77. Judy was a remarkable woman in every way. She lived a life filled with love and unselfishly gave her heart and soul to others. Judy made you feel like an old friend from the first hug to the last. She was a mother to all on and off the field. For everyone who knew and loved Judy, the enormity of her absence cannot be put into words, but the immense kindness she showed to others will always endure. Our hearts are broken, but we know she is free from suffering and at peace with our Lord.”

PHOTOS: Judy Coughlin over the years

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Judy Coughlin visits Jay Fund families at St. Joseph's (2015) (Tom Coughlin Jay Fund Foundation)

Tom Coughlin shared an update on Judy’s condition in August 2021, after he was asked why she was not in any of the photos from their Tom Coughlin Jay Fund events. The Jay Fund is a local nonprofit founded by Tom and Judy that provides support for families tackling childhood cancer.

In a New York Times article written by Tom Coughlin at that time, he revealed he was providing full-time care to his wife as she battled an incurable disease.

She was officially diagnosed in 2020 with progressive supranuclear palsy, a rare brain disorder that causes problems with movement, walking and balance, and eye movement, “after several years of doctors trying to pinpoint the disease that has been slowly taking her from us,” Coughlin wrote in that article. To read the full article, click here.

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The Jay Fund showed their support for the Coughlin family, saying the following:

“Judy Coughlin was an amazing individual who brought so much warmth and so many smiles to our families tackling childhood cancer. We echo Coach Coughlin and the Coughlin family statement that Judy’s kindness and love will forever be her legacy. We join Coach, Keli, Tim, Brian, Kate, and the entire Coughlin family in mourning the loss of our co-founder and their beloved wife, mother, and grandmother.”

The Jaguars took to social media to honor Judy’s memory, releasing the following statement:

“The hearts of the Jaguars faithful are heavy today with the passing of Judy Coughlin, who alongside her husband Tom, helped lay the foundation of our franchise more than a quarter century ago. On behalf of the entire Jaguars organization, we extend our deepest sympathies to Coach Coughlin and his entire family and encourage the Jaguars community to show their support by learning more about the Tom Coughlin Jay Fund. May Judy’s tireless commitment to caring for children and families impacted by cancer continue to inspire us all.”

Jaguars owner Shad Khan also released a statement about the passing of Judy:

“It was a privilege for me to know Judy Coughlin, if only for a short while. Judy was everything I had been told to expect when her husband Tom returned to the Jaguars in 2017 – kind, energetic, optimistic and an inspiration. I personally saw the love and support Tom had for Judy, so I am saddened for Tom, his family and everyone who was positively impacted by Judy here in Jacksonville and beyond. Judy was truly a force for good and will be deeply missed by all.”

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