GUILDERLAND — Barbara A. Coogan, a fun-loving woman who embraced her community, died peacefully at home, surrounded by her loving family, on Sunday, Oct. 25, 2015. She was 79.

A lifelong resident of Guilderland, Mrs. Coogan was the daughter of the late Neil D. and Anna M. Childs of McKownville.

She graduated from Guilderland High School in 1956, and later went back to her alma mater, working as a teacher’s aid at Farnsworth Middle School for 30 years, until her retirement in 2011.

She loved her community and “contributed countless hours” to it, wrote her family in a tribute.

She was a Girl Scout leader, a Pine Bush Little League coach, and a past president of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks Lodge 2480 Ladies’ Auxiliary.

She volunteered at the election polls and was a candidate for the Albany County Legislature and the Receiver of Taxes for the town of Guilderland.

She was also actively involved in Christ the King parish in Westmere in her many roles as choir member, Officer of Columbiettes, and the Altar Rosary Society. She was also a member of the Parish Council.

“In all aspects of her life, Barbara brought a fun-loving, energetic spirit to everything she did,” wrote her family. “Everyone knew Barbara, and Barbara knew everyone, their parents, and their grandparents.”

She was described as “outgoing and full of spunk” and she loved to dress up for Halloween. Her most notable costumes were the Jolly Green Giant, The Great Pumpkin, Road Runner, and Uncle Sam.

She ran for public office just to socialize, her family said.

“She told her family she didn’t know what she would do if she won, as she just thought it would be fun to go door-to-door to visit with old friends,” they wrote.

She was the “fun” aunt and the “fun” neighbor.

“Her zest for life will surely be missed,” wrote her family.

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Mrs. Coogan is survived by her husband, James E. Coogan; her children, Patricia Huntington, and her husband, James, Michael Coogan, and Colleen Jennings, and her husband, Brian; her grandchildren, Matthew, and his wife, Jacklyn, Daniel, and Andrew Huntington, Michael Jr., Justin, and Brendan Coogan, and Kerri and William Jennings; her sister, Virginia Collins; her brother Joseph Childs; and several nieces and nephews.

Her brothers, Neil and William Childs, died before her, as did her sister-in-law, Sally Childs; her sister-in-law, Rita Childs; her brother-in-law, Donald Collins; and her sister-in-law, Noreen Childs.

The family thanks Christ the King parish for its support and the Community Hospice staff for their outstanding care and compassion.

Funeral services were held at the Hans Funeral Home in Albany on Oct. 29. A Mass of Christian Burial was held at Christ the King Church on Oct. 30 and interment followed in Memory Gardens in Colonie.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Community Hospice, 295 Valley View Boulevard, Rensselaer, NY 12144.