Sister Barbara Ann Coyle

We come together as a faith community to celebrate the fruitful life of Sister Barbara Ann Coyle, our dear Bobbie, formerly Sister Jude Maria, a Sister of St. Joseph for 67 faith-filled years.

Bobbie, her treasured twin sister Gerrie and their sister, Patricia, were born to Fred and Hazel Coyle.  Their early education was at St. Joachim’s, Cedarhurst where Bobbie met our sisters and knew from an early age that seeds of her vocation were planted.  Graduating from Freeport High School, Bobbie entered the community with an ardent desire to use her many talents in the service of youth.

After making first vows, Bobbie was missioned to teach elementary school children in 3 different parish schools in Brooklyn for the next ten years ~ and like so many of our sisters, she simultaneously and she would add the word “miraculously” obtained a BA from Brentwood College.

The call to pastoral ministry brought Bobbie to St. Elizabeth Catholic Center in Huntington and later to Immaculate Conception in Jamaica, where her care and outreach to the spiritual needs of God’s people brought healing and peace to many.

Obtaining an MA from Boston College and certification in Pastoral Counseling from the Postgraduate Center for Mental Health, Bobbie’s call

to service brought her to St. Francis Prep, where she ministered as a beloved and trusted counselor for the next 38 years!  Laudatory testimony has been filling the airwaves this past week about her extraordinary ability

to be a listener, healer, and the embodiment of the peace of Christ to countless students and faculty.

Retirement was not in Bobbie’s DNA, and as she moved East she served as a Sacrament of presence in Sacred Heart Parish, North Merrick, and St. John of God Parish, Central Islip.

After serving as a vounteer at Sacred Heart Convent, Hempstead, doing whatever was needed, 2021 brought Bobbie as a resident to her hallowed home at Sacred Heart where God’s peace and the love and care of the staff, her beloved aides who are here today and Freddy, everyone’s right hand man,  Chris Maher, Elizabeth Myles, and our sisters, enveloped her in a community of loving support like no other.  Bobbie’s smile, warmth, and friendship were gifts to all

As Bobbie suffered from progressive health issues, the care she received in Maria Regina from staff and the pastoral care team was loving and attentive, yet she always yearned to go home to her beloved Sacred Heart.  God’s call came quietly and peacefully to bring Bobbie to her eternal home ~ a reward for a full life lived gracefully and joyfully in the service of others as a Sister of St. Joseph for 67 years.

And now, S. Mary Ann Napier will give us a short reflection on Bobbie’s ministerial presence at the Prep ~

This will be followed by our closing community ritual led by Sister Elizabeth Myles, Community Life Coordinator, for Sacred Heart Convent.

Reflection by Sister Mary Ann Napier

Sister Barbara started her career in education as a classroom teacher.  A wealth of knowledge about students, their needs, both academically and emotionally, was gained during these years in the classroom.  When Bobbie entered Saint Francis Prep to be a Guidance Counselor, she brought all of these insights with her.  Unlike the classroom teacher, there were no tests or quizzes to measure growth or success.  However, the faculty became  aware of her ability to reach out and to assist students in need (every type of need.)  She enabled the faculty to become aware of situations that needed her support and caring, while confidentiality was of the utmost importance.  When permission was given, Bobbie allowed faculty to “be there” for the students.  Although there were no scores to view, there were hundreds of grateful students who were able to confide in Bobbie.

Sister Barbara Ann Coyle, the former Sister Jude Maria, died on September 18, 2025 in the 68th year of her religious life.