Sister Mary Elizabeth Coyle IHM, Formerly Sister James Andrew, died very suddenly on Wednesday, May 25, 2022 in Camilla Hall. Sister was in the 57th year of her religious life.
Mary Beth was born on September 11, 1946 in Annapolis, Maryland. Her parents, James J. Coyle and Eleanor (McGlinchey) Coyle raised their family of four daughters and three sons in various locales. Mary Beth’s Dad was a military service member who travelled frequently. Mary Beth’s elementary education spanned four schools: St. Thomas More Arlington, VA; St. Francis of Assisi Springfield, PA; Christ the King Norfolk, VA; and Sacred Heart New Brunswick, NJ. Sister attended two high schools: St. Peter New Brunswick, NJ and Bishop Denis O’Connell Arlington, VA from which she graduated in 1964. Later, while in the Community, Sister earned an A.B. (Theology/History) from Immaculata and an M.A. (Religious Studies) from Notre Dame Pontifical Catechetical Institute.
Mary Beth entered the Community on September 8, 1964 from Our Lady of the Assumption Parish in Strafford, PA. On June 28, 1965, Mary Beth received her habit and her religious name, Sister M. James Andrew, Sister James Andrew professed her First Vows on June 28, 1967. In the late 1980s, Sister had the option to return to her baptismal name.
During the course of Sister’s classroom teaching ministry, (the fall of 1967 through the school year ending 1987) Sister taught children in first, second, sixth, seventh, and eighth grades. Sister served in a variety of parishes: St. Michael, Annandale, VA; Sacred Heart, Philadelphia; Holy Rosary, Ashland, NJ; St. Joseph, Green Ridge; St. Margaret, Reading, PA; Good Shepherd, Camp Hill, PA; St. Aloysius Bryn Mawr, PA; and St. Raymond, Villas, NJ.
From the fall of 1987 through August 2000, Sister Mary Beth served as the Director of Religious Education at St. Teresa, Runnemede, NJ (8/87-8/90); St. Martin, Philadelphia (8/90-8/95); and in Marmora, NJ (8/95-8/2000). Beginning in the fall of 2000 until August 2008, Sister served as the Director of Children’s Catechesis in the Diocese of Camden. In 2008, Sister went to SS. Simon & Jude Parish in Westtown and was a member of the Adult Faith Formation team; also, Sister was the Director of Companions in Prayer and Ministry.
In August 2020, Sister Mary Beth served the Camilla Hall Community as a member of the Apostolate of Prayer. Sister served faithfully until her sudden death on May 25, 2022.
In addition to her IHM Community, Sister Mary Beth is survived by her sisters Nancy Jerome (Garry); Jane Coyle Morris; Margaret M. Fisher (Bruce); her brothers Michael T. Coyle (Renee); Joseph P. Coyle (Patrice); James A. Coyle (MeLisa); and her many nieces, nephews, grandnieces and grandnephews.
Sister Mary Beth’s parents James J. Coyle and Eleanor Mary (McGlinchey) Coyle predecease Sister.
Reverend Michael Gerlach celebrated Sister’s Funeral Mass on Wednesday, June 1, 2022 at 10:30 a.m. Reverend Msgr. Thomas Dunleavy, Reverend John Burger, SSC, and Reverend Michael Callaghan, CM concelebrated.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be sent to:
Camilla Hall Nursing Home
IHM Mission Advancement Office
230 IHM Drive
Malvern, PA 19355