In loving memory of

Esther Marie Coen
October 20, 1962 - July 29, 2022

Esther Maire Coen, 59, of Bristol, RI, passed away at home on July 29, 2022. Esther was born in Newport, RI to the late Austin W. Coen Jr and Esther Catherine (Till) Coen.
Esther was a lifelong resident of the state of Rhode Island and has resided in Middletown and Bristol for all her life. She was a resident of James L. Maher Center Woods Street Community at the time of her passing.
Esther loved family, music, church, bingo, and most of all her beloved Red Sox. Many a day Esther could be found sitting with her radio and a magazine watching a Red Sox game on TV cheering every hit and out with an enthusiasm that could not be matched. Esther was a loving daughter, sister, aunt, and a friend to all. She always had a smile for everyone she met.
Esther is survived by her brother Austin W. Coen III and his wife Celia, and her sister Deborah D'Amico and her husband Paul. She will be missed by her nieces and nephews Jeffery Coen, Jessica Coen, Jennifer Coen, Christina Fountain, Matthew Fountain, Nathan Fountain, Catherine D'Amico, Amanda D'Amico, Samantha D'Amico, and her great nephew Eric Carter William Brown.
Besides her parents, Esther was preceded in death by her sister, Kathleen Fountain.
As well as her family, Esther will be missed by many, most especially her beloved friends at Charlotte Ave and Woods Street.
The family cannot thank enough the support of the James L. Maher staff and resident workers, and in lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the James L. Maher Center 906 Aquidneck Avenue, Middletown RI, 02842.
A Memorial Mass will be held Sunday Aug 7, 2022, at Noon, at Memorial Funeral Home, 375 Broadway, Newport RI.

Tributes

The Richardson Family wrote on Aug 9, 2022:

"I never had the privilege of meeting you Esther. Although, from what I've been told, you've definitely impacted so many lives of the people around you with life long memories. God Definitely needed an Angel. May you rest in peace. Sending our love and prayers, The Richardson Family "

Maria Rosado wrote on Aug 6, 2022:

"What can I say about what you meant to me?.. The words don?t come easy with this huge lump in my throat, thinking of all our memories. From your few weekends of respite care at wood Street way back in the day, to all those years at the Boulevard, then when you went to live at your permanent home back at Wood Street. You made every single shift my favorite shift, you made every snowed in for days shift bearable. I never had a bad day as long as you were in it. You were more than someone I supported, you were someone I loved deeply, more like a family member. You picked me to be your confirmation sponsor at Saint Lucy?s and I was so proud to put my hand on your shoulder while you received Jesus in your heart for the first time and many many times after. No one could say a heartier Amen more then you Esther. I loved singing ?our songs? with you, I loved how you liked to be silly, I loved how you were fiercely independent at times. I loved how you loved your mommy. Phone calls like ?Hi mum, cofffffeee? boy did she love you endlessly! Everyone should have such a strong loving advocate on their side like your mom was. I?m sure she already has all the cans waiting for you and the matching outfits and all the coffee and happy meals, listening to Lawrence Welk. I can almost see how you would have run into your daddies arms red Sox hat and all. I cherish our weekend sleepovers at the special Olympics and how you were one of the best bowlers there, honestly without even really trying. Oh how you loved big bands and family night at 1st beach. Your silly Walkman that you loved so much that was later replaced with your keyboard. You taught me so much. Patriots games and Redsox games will always remind me of you. You loved calling out Bingo letters and numbers, loved singing happy birthday to your friends. Some people would Say you had a stubborn streak lol but I say ohhhh Esther Coen that was what made you so special. Whether having me chase you to get in the shower while you laughed the whole way, or how you would want to vacuum at midnight. Pulling the hairdryer from me because you knew you were capable, and Yes you were you always did a proper job. Singing take me out to the ball game, old McDonald, and our special song that just you and I sang. Life hasn?t been very fair during covid and I hadn?t seen you as much as I wished I had. But God knew, his timing is always perfect and I was able to walk into my foot dr office and see your beautiful face sitting waiting to be seen. I was able to walk right up and kneel down so I was eye level to you and say hello?. In a room full of people I sang to you one last time. I knew that I probably wouldn?t see you again after that day. I rubbed your cheek and you let me pat your head like always. I will always be thankful for that last farewell. I will leave you with the last song I sang to you that day. My sweet friend Esther until we meet again. ?I love you a bushel and a peck, a bushel and a peck and a hug around the neck hug around the neck and a barrel and a heap, barrel and a heap and I?m talking in my sleep about Esther Coen, about Esther Coen.? Start all the car engines you want and drink all the coffee and tea. Let the kettle whistle to your hearts content. And for Pete sakes put in a good word for our Red Sox and Patriots with the big guy! I can almost see you arranging your shoes in heaven lol. Say hello to Betsy, Barbie and Cindy for me. I miss you so much but I know you have your family now and that just makes it easier. Thank you for teaching me so very much for so many years I will carry those memories forever. I love you my feisty spitfire! Love Maria or as you lovingly called me Rea "

Cynthia Schiedler wrote on Aug 6, 2022:

"Being with the Maher for many years , you get to meet so many people that touch your life in so many ways..you Esther was one of them ! We went to many baseball games , we sang many songs together and we even had the whole team sing to you because you wouldn?t leave as the rain came pouring down on us ?we literally sang ? take me out to the ball game all the way to the van and was given a home team ball !! Your smile Lit up for weeks . May you sing loudly in heaven and May the sunshine remind us what a ray of light you were to all that knew you ! Your friend always Cynthia Schiedler "

Jennifer O'Connell wrote on Aug 4, 2022:

"It was an honor to care for Esther and I am proud to call her my friend! She will be truely missed by all. Her memory will be cherished! With great love, jennifer o Wood St"

Tiffany St Onge wrote on Aug 4, 2022:

"I had the honor of caring for Esther for nearly 4 years at the group home, but knew her beforehand when she'd visit her mom at Atria. She was a very special person, one of a kind. Sweet, funny, fiesty, and loving. She was a ray of sunshine on any gloomy day. Esther Marie, thank you for all of the beautiful memories and laughs we've shared. I'll miss our coffee dates and your happy hoots and that great smile! I hope you're with your mom and dad, drinking all the coffee you want and watching endless baseball games in heaven. I love you always! Tiffany ?"