http://www.cooganresearchgroup.com/crg/index.htm 22 May 2011 Obituary of Joan B. (Cyphers) Coogan ___________________________________________________________________ (extracted from "Chicago Tribune" [IL], 20 APR 2005): JOAN B. COOGAN Joan B. Coogan, nee Cyphers, age 79, of Olympia Fields. At rest April 19, 2005. Beloved wife of John F. Coogan; cherished mother of John R. (Cheryl), Dr. Michael (Sharon), Mary, James (Anne), Dennis (Stacey), Joan E. and Thomas (Beth) Coogan; dear grandmother of 15; sister of Marilyn (John Jr.) Ryan. Funeral Service Friday, April 22, 9:15 a.m. from Ryan Funeral Home, 18022 Dixie Hwy. in Homewood to Infant Jesus of Prague Church. Mass 10 a.m. Visitation Thursday 3 to 9 p.m. Interment Assumption Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, family requests donations to ''RESPOND NOW'', P.O. Box 215, Chicago Heights, IL 60411. For further info call 708-798-0331. ___________________________________________________________________ (extracted from "Southtown Star" [IL], 20 APR 2005): COOGAN, JOAN B. Joan B. Coogan, nee Cyphers, age 79, of Olympia Fields. At rest April 19, 2005. Beloved wife of John F. Coogan; cherished mother of John... ___________________________________________________________________ (extracted from "Southtown Star" [IL], 21 APR 2005): COOGAN, JOAN B. Joan B. Coogan, nee Cyphers, age 79, of Olympia Fields. At rest April 19, 2005. Beloved wife of John F. Coogan; cherished mother of John... ___________________________________________________________________ (extracted from "Chicago Tribune" [IL], 22 APR 2005): JOAN B. COOGAN, 79 Founder of hospice, relief agency Given the choice of spending her time watching a movie or engaging in conversation with her family and friends, Joan B. Coogan eagerly chose the latter. Her fondness for the spoken word served her well as she sought support and donations for the social service agencies she helped found and fervently believed in. In 1969, with assistance from an ecumenical church group, Mrs. Coogan helped launch Respond Now, a Chicago Heights-based agency that provides emergency help to needy families in the south suburbs. She was on its board for more than two decades and at one time was executive director. Ten years later, Mrs. Coogan turned her attention to the terminally ill and, working from her dining room table, became a founding board member of Hospice Suburban South at a time when hospices were rarities. It has since evolved into a regional office of Palliative CareCenter & Hospice of the North Shore. Mrs. Coogan, 79, of Olympia Fields died of Alzheimer's disease, Tuesday, April 19, in Prairie Manor Health Care Center in Chicago Heights. "She never doubted she could accomplish what she wanted to do," said her daughter, Joan, "[She] never underestimated her ability. That was one of the remarkable things about her." As a volunteer with both organizations, Mary AuBuchon particularly valued her experience with Mrs. Coogan in the hospice program. "We all learned so much from Joan," AuBuchon said. "She had a wonderful influence on my life, and it was a blessing to be able to work with her." Born Joan Cyphers, Mrs. Coogan had a passion for writing while growing up in Pennsylvania. She penned stories for her high school newspaper and became its editor. As an adult, while raising her family in Olympia Fields, she volunteered to be a publicist for suburban community organizations and worked as a freelance writer. In 1977 she began writing a weekly consumer-interest column, Stone Soup, which ran for five years in the Star Newspapers. While writing a feature story on Dr. Elisabeth Kubler-Ross, the late author of "On Death and Dying" and a pioneer in the hospice movement, Mrs. Coogan became intrigued. In 1979 she announced in her column an organizational meeting to establish the hospice. Volunteers responded and, using her kitchen as their central office, began visiting terminally ill patients in hospitals, nursing homes and at their homes while also providing respite and information to their families. About five years later, the group moved into an office in Olympia Fields. Mrs. Coogan remained with the group until a few years ago when she became ill. In forming the hospice, she relied on her experience helping create Respond Now. "She was a delightful person," said Anita Pellettiere, a Respond Now board member and former case manager. "She had a great sense of humor, was down to earth and very practical. She really was a great organizer and was very outgoing, friendly and always open and concerned about people." Other survivors include her husband of more than 50 years, John; her sons, John, Michael, James, Dennis and Thomas; another daughter, Mary; her sister, Marilyn Ryan; and 15 grandchildren. Mass will be said at 10 a.m. Friday, in Infant Jesus of Prague Catholic Church, 1131 Douglas Ave., Flossmoor. ___________________________________________________________________ (extracted from "Southtown Star" [IL], 24 APR 2005): COOGAN, JOAN B. Joan B. Coogan, 79, of Olympia Fields, died April 19. She wrote numerous feature stories for The Star and a personal column, Stone Soup, from 1977 until 1982. "Joan's column was a reader favorite because she wrote about consumer issues with a sense of humor," Star features editor Joanne Zerkel said. That sense of humor was recalled by Elise Kabbes, of Flossmoor, long-time friend and volunteer with Joan. "She had a delightful spirit of fun and the ability to get people to work together on a project. No one could refuse her," Kabbes said. Coogan founded Respond Now, a social service agency in Chicago Heights, in 1970 and supported its mission all her life. She also founded Hospice Suburban South in 1979, the first respite care program in the South Suburbs. "She had a great compassion for others, but always followed it up with action," said Kabbes. In 1995, the Abby Foundation of the Southern Suburbs honored Coogan for her volunteer work with its Woman of the Year award. She is survived by her husband, John; five sons: John, Michael, James, Dennis and Thomas; two daughters, Joan and Mary; a sister, Marilyn Ryan, and 15 grandchildren. Mass was said Friday at Infant Jesus of Prague Church in Flossmoor [Cook County]. Donations may be sent to Respond Now, Box 215, Chicago Heights, IL 60411. ___________________________________________________________________