Selma Claire Coyne

WORCESTER - Selma Claire Coyne passed peacefully in her sleep on June 3, 2025 in Worcester, Massachusetts. Selma was predeceased by her beloved husband of 60 years, Harold Coyne, who passed away in Boynton Beach, Florida in 2010. She is survived by her son, David (Dr. Margot Barnet), daughter, Gail (Alan Rosenberg), granddaughters, Molly and Erica Rosenberg (engaged to Max Kalmanovich), and brother Bernard Jacobs.

Selma was a wife, mother, grandmother (Mommo), friend, and passed at the ripe young age of 95. She lived her life unapologetically and with style. She had wit, wisdom, and enough personality to fill a room (and then some). Selma raised her children, doted on her granddaughters and tried to keep everyone in line from wherever she was. She had strong opinions, believed in drinking her coffee black, and that you should always save room for ice cream.

Selma was born in Brooklyn, New York, the daughter of Hilda and Isadore Jacobs. She was educated in the Brooklyn public school system and worked tirelessly for many years beside Harold in their drycleaning business. She was the first woman to serve as president of the multistate Neighborhood Cleaners Association. Both Selma and Harold were heavily involved in politics and campaigned for candidates at the local, state, and federal levels. While in her mid 40s, she started up her own travel agency, Travel with Selma, where she brought clients on gambling junkets in Las Vegas and various Caribbean islands. Later, through her and Harold’s interest in sports, her travel business morphed into assisting young athletes with their travel to various track meets throughout the country.

In the 1990s Selma and Harold moved to Boynton Beach, Florida, where they enjoyed their retirement. They had a very large group of friends, and an extremely busy social life. Selma enjoyed playing bridge and canasta, knitting, crocheting, bowling, doing daily crossword puzzles (in pen), throwing parties, and continued traveling. Selma and Harold spent summers in Killington, Vermont and, for a few years after Harold’s passing, Selma spent summers in Worcester, MA with her son and daughter-in-law, and in Southern California with her daughter and family. Just prior to the pandemic, Selma was setting up her summer apartment in Worcester. She ended up calling it her home for the next five years. She loved spending Friday night Shabbat with David and Margot at Temple Emanuel Sinai, schmoozing with new friends, and ensconcing herself in her new home.

Selma was a true firecracker. She never hesitated to tell anyone her thoughts and, up until the last six months of her life, she had more energy than most people half her age. She was always on the phone, whether to catch up with Florida friends, relatives, or speaking with her granddaughters about their busy daily lives.

There will be a private graveside burial. A celebration of her wildly wonderful life will take place in Worcester this summer (tba) where we will laugh, cry, and raise a glass in her honor, just the way she’d want it. Selma was very generous with her nearest and dearest, so if you choose, please feel free to donate to any cause close to your heart in her name.