Obituary

 

Sister Joan Coyne, IHM

Sister Joan Coyne, IHM, (formerly known as Sister Maria Pacis), of the Sisters, Servants of the Immaculate Heart of Mary died on Sunday, September 10, 2006 at Our Lady of Peace Residence in Scranton, PA.

She was born on September 24, 1932, in Scranton, PA, and was the daughter of the late Edward Joseph and Marie Lavelle Coyne. She entered the IHM Congregation on February 2, 1956, made  temporary profession of her vows on August 5, 1958, and final profession of her vows on August 15, 1963.

Sister Joan served as teacher at the following schools: Our Lady of Grace Elementary School in Greensboro, NC, from 1958 to 1962; St. Mary Elementary School in Goldsboro, NC, from 1962 to 1967; St. Monica Elementary School in Raleigh, NC, from 1967 to 1970; St. Clare Elementary School in Scranton, PA, from 1972 to 1973; St. Joseph Elementary School in Williamsport, PA, from 1973 to 1974; St. Michael's Elementary School in Hoban Heights, PA, from 1974 to 1977; St. Mary of Mount Carmel Elementary School in Dunmore, PA, from 1977 to 1984; and St. Patrick Elementary School in Scranton, PA, from 1984 to 1986.

From 1970 to 1973, she served as the directress of postulants for the IHM Congregation in Scranton, PA.

Sister Joan also served as a pastoral minister and instructor of religious education at St. Ann Parish in Scranton, PA, from 1986 to 1990; pastoral associate at St. Francis deSales Parish in Lumberton, NC, from 1990 to 1991; pastoral associate at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Parish in Rocky Mount, NC, from 1995 to 1998; director of the IHM Associate Program at the IHM Center in Scranton, PA, from 1998 to 2001; night chaplain and hospice volunteer at Community Medical Center in Scranton, PA, from 1985 to 1990; advisor to students with special needs at Marywood University in Scranton, PA, from 2000 to 2001; and coordinator of prayer groups at the IHM Center in Scranton, PA, from 2001 to 2006.

From January 2006 until the time of her death, Sister Joan served as a prayer minister at Our Lady of Peace Residence.

She received a Bachelor of Science degree in education/English, and Master of Science degree in religious education, both from Marywood College.

She is survived by two brothers, John of Scranton, PA, and Robert of Clarks Summit, PA, four sisters, Ann Cummings of Scranton, PA, Elizabeth O’Connor of Scranton, PA, Mary Mellon of Bethlehem, PA, and Eileen Haggerty of Scranton, PA, many nieces and nephews, including, Sr. Mary Ellen Coyne, IHM, of New Bern, NC, and grandnieces and grandnephews.

The funeral will be Wednesday, September 13, at 10:00 a.m. with Mass of Christian Burial at the IHM Center, 2300 Adams Avenue in Scranton followed by interment at St. Catherine's Cemetery, Moscow. Friends may call at Our Lady of Peace Residence, 2300 Adams Avenue in Scranton, on Tuesday, September 12, between 1:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m.

Memorial contributions may be made to support the retired IHM Sisters c/o the IHM Sisters Retirement Fund, IHM Center, 2300 Adams Avenue, Scranton, PA 18509.


Reprinted from "In Memoriam" section of Journey, Fall 2006 issue 
 

Sr. Joan Coyne, formerly known as Sr. Maria Pacis and Sr. Mary Lucilla, died on September 10 at Our Lady of Peace Residence after a valiant battle with cancer.

For 74 years Joan lived on this earth, not just surviving but thriving with passion and compassion, humor and style, generosity and kindness. Everyone who knew Joan would attest to the fact that it was a blessing and privilege to share in her legacy of life and love.

Sr. Joan was truly gifted. Her extraordinary singing voice enhanced many celebrations . . . not to mention her singing telegrams on birthdays! She was tireless in her desire and ability to connect and communicate through personal visits, cards and telephone calls.

There are many hilarious tales of her being late for scheduled events because she would have to make one more stop to visit one more person before arriving. Even during her illness, Joan continued to reach out to the needs of others.

Sr. Joan was a true IHM, a woman of prayer and deep faith, ever giving and forgiving, ever caring and concerned. She saw Christ in every person she met. She had a unique ability to perceive and understand how others felt and to anticipate what each one needed. Joan took her vocation and ministry seriously, but she was the first to laugh at herself! Joan was an entertainer, lightening and brightening any situation with her skits, her jokes and her famous entrance line, “Was I invited to this party, or did I invite myself?”

Sr. Joan taught us how to live with gusto, humor and compassion. She taught us how to die with courage, peace and a patient abandonment to  the will of God. As long as we live, we will never meet another person like Sr. Joan Coyne.

by Sister Amy Zychal