A busy, caring life of volunteerism benefited others

MARGARET MARY COBURN MOTHER, CHARITY WORKER 2-11-1921 - 11-5-2012

By InvestSMART · 16 Jun 2012

By InvestSMART ·
16 Jun 2012

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MARGARET MARY COBURN

MOTHER, CHARITY WORKER

2-11-1921 11-5-2012

By NIALL COBURN

MARGARET "Peggy" Coburn, who was not famous in the worldly sense but known for her generosity of spirit and volunteer charitable work that was done without seeking recognition, has died at the Epworth Hospital. She was 90.

Peggy, who bore nine children and was immersed in the Catholic Church and its charities, made the first of nine pilgrimages to Lourdes with her parish in 1958.

Born Margaret O'Rourke at Dundalk in the Republic of Ireland, she had a happy childhood with two elder brothers. In December 1941, she married Brian Coburn who had courted her after spotting her through a window at a dance. They had their first child before he went to North Africa with the RAF in 1943.

After the war they ran a poultry farm and had four girls. In 1954, they moved to England, where Brian worked for General Motors and Peggy ran a bed and breakfast business. Four more children were born in England. In 1964, the family migrated to Australia and lived in Gardenvale. The children attended Star of the Sea Convent and O'Neill's College, while Peggy was a manageress at Buckley & Nunn (now David Jones), and was involved in the charities at St James in Brighton.

In 1968, Peggy returned to England with her younger children, and invested in property and ran a successful B&B business the younger four children were sent to Catholic boarding schools. In 1976, she returned to Melbourne, where the three youngest completed their secondary education at Star of the Sea Brighton and Christian Brothers College St Kilda. Peggy and Brian looked with pride on their children's professional success: two are lawyers (one is a senior counsel at the Victorian Bar, the other an adviser to the Australian Securities & Investments Commission), an accountant, two teachers and two entrepreneurs.

In retirement, Peggy travelled often to visit and stay with her children overseas. In her later days she was involved with the Missionaries of Charity, and also worked with others in the community. Eight children, 15 grandchildren and three great-grandchildren survive her.

Caroline Kenny SC, and Paulette Clarke assisted.

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Frequently Asked Questions about this Article…

Who was Margaret 'Peggy' Coburn and why is her obituary notable for everyday investors?

Margaret 'Peggy' Coburn was a long-time charity volunteer and mother of nine whose life story—spanning Ireland, England and Australia—highlights practical themes investors care about: working through different careers, property investment, running small businesses (a successful B&B) and philanthropy. She died aged 90 at Epworth Hospital.

Did Peggy Coburn run a business and could that be considered an investment strategy?

Yes. The article says Peggy ran a successful bed-and-breakfast (B&B) business in England. For everyday investors, running a small business like a B&B can be both a source of income and a hands-on way to diversify personal finances, as her experience shows.

Did Peggy Coburn invest in property during her life?

Yes. The obituary notes that when she returned to England in 1968 she invested in property and ran a successful B&B—details that underscore how property ownership formed part of her family’s financial picture.

What companies or organisations are mentioned in Peggy Coburn’s story that everyday investors might recognize?

The article mentions Buckley & Nunn (now David Jones), where Peggy worked as a manageress, General Motors (where her husband Brian worked in England), and the Australian Securities & Investments Commission (ASIC), where one of her children later served as an adviser.

How did Peggy and Brian Coburn’s careers and moves influence their family’s financial and educational outcomes?

The obituary describes the couple moving from farming to retail and B&B work, migrating to Australia, and investing in property. Their choices supported the children’s education—several attended Catholic schools and boarding schools—and the children later pursued professional careers, including law, accounting, teaching and entrepreneurship.

What role did charity and volunteerism play in Peggy Coburn’s life?

Charity and volunteerism were central to Peggy’s life. She was active in Catholic parish charities (including St James in Brighton), made pilgrimages to Lourdes beginning in 1958, and later worked with the Missionaries of Charity and other community groups—showing a strong commitment to giving back.

What family legacy and personal details are included in Peggy Coburn’s obituary?

Peggy (born Margaret O’Rourke in Dundalk, Ireland on 2 November 1921) married Brian Coburn in 1941, bore nine children, and is survived by eight children, 15 grandchildren and three great-grandchildren. She returned to Melbourne in 1976 and died on 11 May 2012 at the Epworth Hospital.

Are there practical takeaways for everyday investors from Peggy Coburn’s life story?

Yes. Peggy’s life underscores practical lessons for investors: diversify income through work and small business (B&B), consider property as part of a financial plan, value education and professional development for family resilience, and balance financial goals with community and charitable priorities.