Mary Elizabeth Griffin Coyne

South Portland - Mary Elizabeth Griffin Coyne died January 19, 2016 at her home surrounded by family. She was born on March 25, 1922 in Portland to Irish immigrants, Edward Griffin of Inverin, Ireland and Nora Greely Griffin of Cloonbeggin, County Clare Ireland. Mary lived in Portland until she was twelve. Her family moved to South Portland to live in the home that her father built at 32 Boothby Avenue.

Mary attended Cathedral School and later graduated from South Portland High School and Gray’s Business School. She held many jobs throughout her life. She worked at Fort Preble, A&P grocery in the accounting department, and at Blue Cross/ Blue Shield to name a few. She married James M. Coyne at Holy Cross Church in South Portland on February 11, 1955.

Mary was a very interesting individual, born a bit before her time. She was fiercely independent, hardworking, and loyal. She had a tremendous wit and was very funny. If you knew Mary you knew someone that was genuine to the core, which seems to be a Griffin trait. Some of you knew, but many did not know that Mary developed macular degeneration later in life and was blind as well as hearing impaired. This did not stop her. She continued her daily walking excursions from Boothby Avenue to Hannaford’s, Key Bank, Shaw’s and lastly to Goodwill where she would pick up something that sparkled or an item that was too big to bring home but she always seemed to manage. Many people wanted us to persuade her to stop her daily walks because of her eyesight and hearing. This would have been cruel and abusive to her and seriously impossible to do.

Even after she got out of the hospital for the last time on December 19, 2015 she took a couple of last strolls to her favorite spots which included a trip to Calvary Cemetery to visit her husband, James’, her mother and father’s, and brother Eddie Griffin’s final resting spots as well as the memorial bench for her beloved son Tommy. She was extremely happy that she purchased that bench for Tommy.

Mary was very active even in her later years. She rode her bicycle all over South Portland to her yard sales well into her 70’s; she might have the postman deliver an item she bought if it was too big for the basket on her bike. She made several trips to Ireland with her children, her last being when she was 90 years old.

Mary was direct and not always humble, because she was so sure of herself. She liked to be a bit shocking at times while talking to you just to make sure you were listening.

Mary was a mother/grandmother figure to many but in the last ten years or so it seemed as though rolls were somewhat reversed between Mary and her daughter, Maureen. Phrases that became the norm were “Mom, do not take rides from strangers” “Mom do not bring strangers into the house” and most just started with “Mom you did what”?

She has given us all a legacy filled with her Irish history, but most of all she gave us her Irish Wit! She loved a good joke with a long big belly laugh!

Everyone that came in contact with her has a Mary story. Hoping you will share them now and forever. She was loved, admired and respected by her family and friends.

Mary was predeceased by her husband, James Coyne, her beloved son ‘Tommy’ and her brother Eddie Griffin, another South Portland legend.

Mary is survived by her sister, Helen Griffin Griffiths of Stony Point, New York; daughter, Maureen Mehlhorn and husband Greg of East Waterboro, Maine; son, James Coyne and wife, Chong Ye of South Portland; daughter, Kathleen Coyne and companion Pete Carter of Gorham; grandchildren: Gregory Mehlhorn and wife, Sarah , Patrick, Michael and Griffin Mehlhorn, Devin and Shannon Coyne & Dustin Gregoire and by her very special friend Myrna Hart.

At Mary’s request there will be no visiting hours. A Memorial Funeral Mass will be celebrated at Holy Cross Church, South Portland on Saturday,

January 23 2016 at 11 a.m. Arrangements are being handled by the Jones, Rich & Hutchins Funeral Home, 199 Woodford St. in Portland.

Please offer your condolences to the family at www.jonesrichandhutchins.com.