"She always had a great love for her family" - Sr. Maureen Coyle remembered

Tributes have been paid to Sr. Maureen Coyle, MFIC who passed away on Monday, 22nd January 2024, in the community nursing home of the Missionary Franciscan Sisters of the Immaculate Conception in Tenafly, NJ, surrounded by her loving family and community.

Maureen (Mary Josephine) Coyle was born on 24th January 1941 in Derry to parents John and Margaret Mary Sweeney.

Sr. Maureen, was a loving sister of Danny, Eileen, Eamon (deceased), Sean, Kieran (deceased), Mairgead, Liam, Antoinette and Malachy, dear sister-In-Law to Gerry McShane, Jean Smith-Coyle and the late Annette Coyle, and a dear and loving aunt to all her nieces and nephews. She was dearly loved and will be sadly missed by the entire family circle.

Maureen was the third child in a family of 10, six boys and four girls. As she was a sickly child, her parents feared for her health and thought further education would be too stressful. Maureen started working in her uncle’s grocery shop when she was 14 years old.

Member of her family who were with her during her final days, said: "From the time she was a young child, Maureen always wanted to be a nun, so she saved as much money as she could to fund her entry into the Franciscans.

"She always had a great love for her family and we loved her dearly. She enjoyed coming home for holidays and spending time with all of us, especially her nieces and nephews. Our family will miss her greatly.”

A short service of remembrance followed by Requiem Mass was held on Wednesday, 24th January, on what would have been Maureen's 83rd birthday.

The community of Missionary Franciscan Sisters paid a special tribute online to Sr. Maureen Coyle, saying: "Maureen’s wish was realised when she entered our community in 1958, made her first profession of vows in 1961 and her final profession in 1966. In 1961 she also began her missionary journey as a primary teacher in the United States and spent the next several years teaching in East Boston, MA; Rockford, IL; Brainerd, MN; Syracuse, NY; Milton, MA; and Augusta, GA.

"In 1982 she attended the Mexican American Institute in Texas in preparation for ministry in Bolivia.

"From 1983 to 1989 Maureen ministered in parish and pastoral work in Coroico, Bolivia. She began by going to rural areas to teach in the adult literacy program for Aymaran speaking women. Maureen was known for her exceptional musical talents and taught guitar and formed choirs and music groups with catechists in the rural communities and in the town of Coroico.

"She was also responsible for the liturgical celebrations in the Cathedral and was asked by the Bishop to sing the Exsultet on Holy Saturday. Maureen also taught theology at the Guerrilleros Lanza High School in Coroico and San Francisco Javier High School in Carmen Pampa.

"In 1989 she was asked to go to Bello Horizonte, Piura, Peru to continue pastoral work there and to be involved in the Formation of new community members. In 1992-93 Maureen had a Sabbatical/Spiritual year to concentrate on Christian and Franciscan Studies.

"In 1993 she went to Consuela de Velasco, Piura, Peru to continue Formation and Pastoral ministry and in 1995 she attended a program in Lima for further preparation in Formation, working with new community members. Maureen was Director of Initial Formation of Candidates and Postulants for our community, and participated in the Interreligious Community Conference of Formation in Piura, Peru. She served in leadership positions within the Latin American Circle and was responsible for the excellent newsletter she prepared for the Our Lady of Gaudalupe Circle of Latin America.

"She founded, secured funds, and oversaw the construction of Shekinah, a health and wellness center. Here volunteers, using natural methods of healing, could treat the poor using Reflexology, Reiki, massage therapy and with lectures on health, exercises and counseling.

"Maureen’s tireless energy and generosity ministering to, and with the poor, knew no bounds. She also educated others of the issues of human trafficking and could be seen travelling all over Piura on her yellow scooter!

"Maureen’s health began to fail in 2017 and she came to Tenafly for medical attention and eventually to retire. During this time, she continued to be a vital part of the community here, especially through her constant prayer. She was a wonderful example to us in her acceptance of her reality and the latest invitation that God had given her.

"The past few weeks of her life brought more challenges and she entered Hospice Care, here in our convent on January 16th. Her brothers, sisters, sister-in-law and nephews as well as the Sisters, were with her in her final days.

"Thank you, dear Maureen, for all that you have given to all of us. With love, all of your Missionary Franciscan Sisters."

A recording of the service of remembrance for Sr. Maureen will be available for one month (CLICK HERE).

Sacred Heart of Jesus have mercy on her soul. Our Lady of Lourdes intercede for her.