PIPE CREEK, Texas – Aino Esther Coyne, 86, entered into her eternal rest March 20.

Daughter of Kalle and Esther Heikkinen (from Finland), born in West Paris, July 1, 1922 where she grew up, performed on stage and fell in love. She lived many years in Waterford, Conn., before moving to Texas in 1984.

She was a loving wife, wonderful and compassionate mom, grandmother, great-grandmother and friend, known as Grammie and Mimi to her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She took great pride in providing a safe, wholesome clean home, she was known for her exceptionally wonderful cooking and always thinking of dessert “goodies” she could whip up for her family, from homemade pies, cream puffs, éclairs or donuts. She never had to look far for takers to help taste test them.

She loved to travel and got to enjoy Hawaii and as well as many other states. She was able to tour Europe and her family’s native Finland, where she met many relatives. She was very proud of her heritage as well as the legacy she leaves. She especially loved going to the “other” house on the Texas coast, but also couldn’t wait to get back to the comfort of her home. She was the mortar in the foundation of our family and will be lovingly missed.

She is survived by her loving husband and soulmate of 70 years, Thomas J. Coyne Sr. of Pipe Creek, Texas; her children, son, Thomas Jr. and his wife, Judy, of Estacada, Ore.; daughters, Nancy Coyne-Grell of Pipe Creek and Brenda Deremer of San Antonio; sons, Carl of Pipe Creek, Peter of Bandera, Barry and his wife, Marie, of San Antonio and Tim of Pipe Creek; grandchildren, Edward Hadley Jr., Jason Mendiola, Matthew and Tyler Coyne of San Antonio, Heidi Brown and Joy Kretzer of Pipe Creek, Aimee Hadley-Hollingsworth of California, Eilleen Weinsteiger and Richard Rolfe of Connecticut, Thom III and Scott Coyne of Oregon, Robert Deremer of Connecticut, and Sharleen Sacco of Florida; a special niece, Pat Perrault of Connecticut; adopted sons, Robert (Chi Chi) Smith of Connecticut, and Ed W. Ernst of Nevada; great-grandchildren, Justin and James Hadley of Maine, Heather Weinsteiger, Macey, KJ and Katie Kretzer, Scarlett, Skyler and Morgan Brown of Pipe Creek and Sakoia Coyne of San Antonio, Kayla and Logan Rolfe, Charlie and Andy Weinsteiger of Connecticut, Bryan Coyne of North Carolina, Josie Coyne of Oregon, and Chris, AJ and Christianna Sacco of Florida. She will be sorely missed by her cats, Tootie, Kiki and Muffy.

She was predeceased by her parents; brothers, John, Alec, Otto and Uno; sisters, Ida, Laina and Hilda; her daughters, Gloria J. Coyne-Hadley-Grell and Penny Coyne; granddaughter, Lori J. Hadley; nephew, Jack Coyne; and son-in-law, Charles Grell.