Jeanne Coppillie - June 02,1946 to January 31, 2026

 

A strong independent woman (quoting a grandson), Jeanne was the youngest child of nine in a blended family to Dorothy Douglass (nee Elliott) and Louis Marie Arsene Coppillie. She was born in Newcastle Upon Tyne and grew up in Framwellgate Moor, Durham often spending her summers at the convent in Coxyde, Belgium. She left Chester-Le-Street grammar school with nine University of Durham O levels and three University of Oxford A levels to attend the University of Wales at Cardiff College where she received her BA in 1967. It was then on to Jamaica on a 2 year government study and serve scholarship. Jeanne received her Diploma of Education from the University of The West Indies in in 1968 and then taught at the Immaculate Conception High School in Kingston.

 

Jeanne had many passions. She sang and played guitar with a repertoire of over 800 songs. She painted water colors and was a closet bilingual poet. Jeanne spoke three languages fluently and had a smattering of others. A sports lady who was an excellent tennis player starting at school and continuing up until she died. One grandson still didn’t take a set off of her and the other only got one just last year. “Bunchies” Coppillie played field hockey for Cardiff and acted with their drama society. She helped found the local Phoenix Players and directed plays such as The Three Penny Opera and Lysistrata. The SHS drama club put on many productions and often participated at the NSDF in Halifax. Jeanne loved to move and to dance. She took classes in jazz ballet and modern attending the Winnipeg School Of Contemporary Dancers among others. When she offered to teach a dance class at Marcelle’s school in Abergowerie Queensland over thirty mothers came out for the class in the evenings and they had a ball.

 

Teaching was also a passion for over 33 years and she loved her work. She taught in Jamaica, New Brunswick, Australia and Nova Scotia. Whether it was English to the French students or French to the English students or history to the industrial boys at Polyvalent de Restigouche or languages at the Netherwood School for Girls or at SHS and EPRH, she knew her stuff. Jeanne could relate with her students and was highly respected by students and staff alike. She never needed to raise her voice. If Ms C went quiet you knew you were in trouble. Giving up countless dinner hours and after school time to help those that needed it, Jeanne firmly believed that working with students extracurricularly helped her do her job in the classroom.

 

Jeanne was predeceased by Norman, Brian (the favorite) and Florrie, Clyde, David and Joyce, Adriene, Daphane, Louise and Peter, and brother-in-law Richard.

 

She is survived by Tiit, Marcelle (Sue), grandsons Nicholas and Gavin, sister Diane. She was the favorite auntie of MarieLouise, Stephen, young David, Andrew, Ian, and Michael.

 

Jeanne has been cremated and there will be no visitation or funeral. She was spiritual, not religious and had good thoughts about reincarnation. As per her wishes there will be a big party on June 2. You are all invited. 

 

We were helped by many excellent professionals and many, many dear friends. If you are so inclined the Pictou County Food Bank and the Pictou County VON could also use some help.

 

Gracias a la vida que me ha dado tanto

I lived, I loved and I was loved

Adieu mon petit chou

 

Lovingly written by Tiit