Sister M. Eugene Coyne, IHM

Sister M. Eugene Coyne, IHM, of the Sisters, Servants of the Immaculate Heart of Mary died on Friday, July 27, 2007 at Our Lady of Peace Residence in Scranton, Pennsylvania.

She was born on October 19, 1919 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and given the name Elizabeth. She was the daughter of the late Patrick and Anna O’Malley Coyne. She entered the IHM Congregation on September 8, 1938, made temporary profession of her vows on May 8, 1941, and final profession of her vows on August 2, 1944.

Sister Eugene served as a teacher at the following schools: St. Joseph Elementary School in Williamsport, PA, from 1941 to 1945; All Saints Elementary School in Masontown, PA, from 1945 to 1953; St. Joseph Elementary School in New Bern, NC, from 1953 to 1956; St. Michael Elementary School in Hoban Heights, PA, from 1956 to 1963; St. Rose Elementary School in Carbondale, PA, from 1963 to 1970; Our Lady of Mount Carmel Elementary School in Altoona, PA, from 1970 to 1972; St. Thomas Aquinas Elementary School in Archbald, PA, from 1972 to 1973; St. Patrick Elementary School in Scranton, PA, from 1973 to 1981; Our Lady of Peace Elementary School in Clarks Green, PA, from 1981 to 1982; Nativity of Our Lord Elementary School in Scranton, PA, from 1982 to 1983; and at St. Paul Elementary School in Scranton, PA, from 1983 to 1990.

Sister also served as an instructor at the IHM Educational Enrichment Institute in Scranton, PA, from 1990 to 1996;and as a receptionist at the IHM Center in Scranton, PA, from 1996 to 1998.

From 1998 until the time of her death, Sister Eugene served as a prayer minister at the Marian Convent and Our Lady of Peace Residence in Scranton.

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

She was preceded in death by three brothers, Thomas, John and Patrick, and three sisters, Rita, Mary Bametzrieder, and Sister Ann Helene Coyne, IHM.

She is survived by several nieces and nephews.

The funeral will be Tuesday, July 31, at 11:00 a.m. with Mass of Christian Burial at Our Lady of Peace Residence, 2300 Adams Avenue in Scranton, with interment to follow at St. Catherine’s Cemetery, Moscow. Friends may call at Our Lady of Peace Residence on Monday, July 30, between 3:00 p.m. and 7:00 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.

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Reprinted from “In Memoriam” section of Journey, Winter 2007 issue

Remembering Sister Eugene:

Those of us who knew Sr. Eugene (Betty) Coyne in her youth remember her as a fun-loving. athletic person with a healthy share of Irish wit. She could have opted for a career as a stand-up comic, a coach of a baseball team or as a singer in a choral group carrying a strong alto. Instead, she heard the call of God to follow in the footsteps of her older sibling, Sr. Ann Helene Coyne, in the IHM Congregation of Scranton, PA. She entered the Congregation in Scranton in 1938, and found herself far away from her home in Pittsburgh.

Sr. Eugene loved teaching children of all ages and brought to her work an enthusiasm and sense of humor that her students still remember. From Masontown to Carbondale, and to many places in-between, she spread the Good News of God’s love to hundreds of youngsters as well as adults.

Her top priority was her spiritual life; she prayed always and in all places, as those who traveled with her knew. God was real to her, and she brought many into her circle of confidence in Him.

When illness brought an end to her teaching career, she suffered greatly. Alienation from reality and pain filled her days. Towards the end, however, she would often regale her companions in the infirmary with her own rendition of “Take Me Out to the Ballgame.”

God Himself took her on July 27, 2007.

by Sister Marionette Coll, IHM

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Note: mother’s maide name could have also been Malia/Melia as per ancestory website.