Bette Coyne

Bette L. Coyne, wife of Col. John C. Coyne, died Oct. 5, 2003, at Careage of Whidbey. Born May 10, 1926, in Aurora, Utah, one of 13 children, Bette met her husband, at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas, and they were married July 9, 1953, in Salt Lake City, Utah. Military life provided an opportunity for the family to visit many areas of the world, but following retirement and traveling for a year they selected Whidbey Island as the place to put down roots.

For almost 30 years Bette continued her practice of community service, as secretary for the Coupeville Chamber of Commerce, chairman of Volunteers at Whidbey General Hospital, president of the Hospital Auxiliary, and more recently co-manager of the Hospital Gift Shop. Meanwhile she also served as mayor of Coupeville from 1998 through 1991. Her love of cooking enabled friends and family to enjoy warm companionship and gourmet meals along the shore of Penn Cove.

Bette is survived by her husband and two daughters, Carolyn Rousseau of Grants Pass, Ore., and Jaquelyn Champagne of Houston, Texas. She has three granddaughters, Holley Luban of California and Kristen Champagne and Katie Champagne of Texas. Interment will occur at a private family ceremony at Sunnyside Cemetery, Coupeville.