Judy Coughlin, the wife of former New York Giants head coach Tom Coughlin, has passed away at the age of 77.
“My cherished wife and our beloved mother and grandmother, Judy Whitaker Coughlin, passed away this morning at the age of 77,” Tom wrote in a statement. “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.”
The two-time Super Bowl-winning head coach revealed in 2021 that Judy had been diagnosed with progressive supranuclear palsy — a brain disorder that is incurable.
“Our hearts are broken. Judy has been everything to our family. For the past four years, we’ve helplessly watched her go from a gracious woman with a gift for conversation, hugging all the people she met and making them feel they were the most important person in the room, to losing almost all ability to speak and move,” Tom wrote in a New York Times article.
“She used to enjoy planning family get-togethers, going for morning walks and caring for her rosebushes; however, those activities are but distant memories. Her days are now filled with lying in bed, watching the Hallmark Channel, sitting in a wheelchair in the sun and receiving round-the-clock care. And what’s worse, she is trapped inside a body that will not allow her to be the person she was.”
During Super Bowl Sunday in February, Tom paid tribute to Judy with a special that aired on NBC.
Tom Coughlin only brings his Super Bowl rings out on special occasions. The ring on his left hand never comes off.
It's a testament to the love he carries as he acts as a caregiver for his wife, Judy.
For more information on the @tcjayfund, visit https://t.co/xU6L7Dl7Bm. pic.twitter.com/mwEH8XAJ0c
— NBC Sports (@NBCSports) February 13, 2022
Because of Judy’s progressive supranuclear palsy, Tom became a full-time caregiver. As a result of that experience, the Jay Fund Foundation added a caregiver program to their many charitable initiatives.
Judy was a rock for Tom throughout his life and career. She was a wonderful wife, daughter, mother and grandmother. She helped Tom become more personable during his time with the Giants, which facilitated a locker-room change that led the organization to two titles.
“We were saddened to hear of Judy’s passing this morning. She was an incredibly bright light for all of us, and we were blessed that she shared her energy, vitality and love with our organization,” Giants co-owners John Mara and Steve Tisch said in a statement. “As Tom has often noted, his role as head coach ended at the front porch. When he walked through the door, Judy was the boss. Our thoughts are with Tom and the entire Coughlin family.”
More than anything else, Judy was a remarkable philanthropist who never stopped helping those in need.
Those of us at Giants Wire offer our thoughts and prayers to Tom, his family and their many, many friends.
