Megan Coetzee was, to many, pure sunshine. Warm, open, and deeply empathetic, she had a rare ability to make people feel instantly seen. Megan was everyone’s cheerleader, quick with a compliment, a radiant smile, and a willingness to listen without judgment. She welcomed depth, never shied away from difficult conversations, and showed up fully for the people she loved.

Born on October 2, 1986 to Kathy and David Wolstenholme, Megan grew up in Maryland and Colorado before moving to South Africa for high school. She earned a BA in Journalism from Rhodes University. Megan and her husband Wickus bravely moved to the United States in 2021 because they wanted a new challenge and to expand their horizons. Most recently, Megan worked as a Program Manager at Google on the education team, a role that brought her great fulfillment.

Megan met her husband, Wickus Coetzee, through work. While Wickus initially declined Megan’s invitation to get drinks, he later came to his senses and took her up on it. They immediately hit it off and have been together since 2012. Their love was immediate, unconditional, and enduring. Megan affectionately referred to Wickus as her soulmate. They built a life together in New York City with their two beloved cats, Winks and Lola.

Family and community were central to Megan’s life, and she was intentional about creating deep, meaningful connections wherever she lived. Megan loved traveling, exploring new restaurants and bars around New York City, and going on long walks with friends, especially in Central Park near the boathouse and through Riverside Park. She enjoyed trying new activities like pottery classes, seeing Broadway shows, and spending time with horses, a lifelong love from growing up riding. She cherished experiences and people above all else.

Megan bravely fought metastatic clear cell ovarian cancer, facing her journey with honesty, courage, and grace. She openly shared her experience to encourage others, especially women, to prioritize their health, as ovarian cancer is known as the “silent killer”. She organized a trip to Washington, D.C. to participate in the Race to End Women’s Cancer and supported the Ovarian Cancer Research Alliance. She advocated for the Open Stable Foundation, where equine therapy had brought her profound healing during chemotherapy, ultimately funding the purchase of a horse that will serve other cancer patients. Megan passed away on January 11, 2026. She was 39.

She is survived by her husband, Wickus Coetzee; her father, David Wolstenholme; her half-brother Luke Wolstenholme and his wife Lia and their son Max Wolstenholme; her half-sister Zoë Boyce and her two sons, Kaya and Felix Boyce; many beloved cousins and aunts; and a wide circle of friends whose lives are better for having known her.

Megan’s warmth, generosity, and light will live on always.

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