HOPE MERIBETH CAMERON (RILEY) COYNE

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HOPE MERIBETH CAMERON (RILEY) COYNE

Born Belleville, Ontario, June 28, 1927

Died Winnipeg, Manitoba, April 6, 2024

Hope Meribeth Cameron Coyne (nee Stobie) was known for her warmth and kindness, her boundless energy, her love of art, her talent for friendship, and her keen sense of the ridiculous.

One of three children born to George Herbert Stobie and Helen Mary Simpkins, Meribeth took great pride in her mother’s United Empire Loyalist roots, and in her Stobie grandfather’s adventures as a prospector. (He staked early claims to the Big and Little Stobie Mines in Sudbury, which ultimately became part of Inco.)

After a sunny childhood - golf and tennis by the Bay of Quinte, summers at Camp Wapomeo - Meribeth went off to McGill where she earned a Bachelor of Arts. In Montreal, she met and then married Robert Sanford Riley, a promising young businessman from Winnipeg. Sanford’s tragic early death left her a widow at age 27 with three small children. From this she learned never to take any bit of happiness for granted.

She then married James Elliott Coyne, at that time the Governor of the Bank of Canada, and had two more children. Early on, they weathered a difficult time together as Jim was forced into a very public and principled battle in what came to be known as The Coyne Affair. Jim was always deeply grateful for Meribeth’s unwavering support.

In 1966, the family of seven moved to Winnipeg, a not entirely welcome move that Meribeth determined to make the best of. She did, charting an independent path for herself at a time when that was unusual for a woman with five children. She obtained a Bachelor of Education degree, and taught for several years at Balmoral Hall School. Then it was back to university for a BFA, leading to a career as a visual artist that lasted five decades. In Winnipeg, she exhibited at the Medea gallery, where she had several solo shows. In Sarasota, where she and Jim spent the winter, she took classes and showed her work with a group of artists who called themselves “The Art Pack.” Her art, with its distinctive style, hangs on the walls of discerning collectors across Canada who wanted a “Meribeth Coyne” of their own.

She made home a cozy, welcoming place for all, though she was the first to admit that cooking was not her strong suit. (At mealtimes her children were often advised to “fend for yourself”!) At the cottage on Lake of the Woods, she created magical memories for her family: the solemn “Burgee” ceremony held when a child learned to swim the length of the dock; the ceramic Manners Cow in charge of enforcing table decorum; the after-dinner card games to determine who did the dishes; and the Broadway songs the losers would belt out in the kitchen. No matter how chaotic the atmosphere (children fighting, dogs barking, visitors appearing from out of town), Meribeth would have a table set up in the middle of it, where she would continue with her painting.

As a mother, she led by example, never complaining and, to her children’s great irritation, always suggesting they should "LOOK AROUND and see just how LUCKY we are!" Practicing a technique called “intelligent neglect”, encouraging her children to lead independent lives. As a result, all five of her children have pursued very different careers, and contributed to their community. It was her stated goal that her children grow up to be good friends, and in this she succeeded splendidly.

She also had wonderful relationships with all her grandchildren, who called her B.B., and who fondly remember her favourite sayings: “Bloom where you're planted.” “It's not the way the wind blows, it’s the way you set your sails.” “A ship is safe in harbour, but that's not what a ship is for.” (And occasionally, “Jim, I can't stand these children for one more minute!”) She took enormous delight in each of her 13 great-grandchildren, including baby Rafael who arrived shortly before her death.

She had a wide circle of friends of all ages, who loved her youthful spirit (she was always game for a political debate with any of her grandchildren), endless curiosity (in her 80s she taught herself computer language), and steadfast cheerfulness (Harry Lauder’s “Keep Right on to the End of the Road” was a favourite song). More than anything she loved to laugh, and to make others laugh.

She will be dearly missed by Sanford (Debbie), Patrick (Deborah), Nancy (Blake), Andrew (Shannon), and Susan. And by her grandchildren: Jessica, Meghan, and Sanford Riley; Johanna, Allison, and Patricia Riley; Sanford, Haddon, and Cressida Murray; and James and Julia Schultz.

The family also wishes to thank the staffs of Riverview Palliative Care and the Grace Hospice for their kindness and professionalism. In lieu of flowers, a donation to Parkinson Canada or a charity of your choice would be appreciated.

A celebration of Meribeth’s life will be held on June 26 in Winnipeg.

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Apr 13, 2024, Apr 13, 2024