Obituary of Sr. Patricia Coyne CSJ

Latham-Sister Patricia Coyne, CSJ, (Sister Marianne Patrice), 87, died Friday, December 23, 2011, at St. Joseph's Provincial House, Latham. She had been a Sister of St. Joseph of Carondelet for the past 65 years. Sister Patricia was born on July 1, 1924 in Flushing, NY, daughter of the late John and Ada Sproul Coyne. She graduated from Mother Cabrini High School in New York City and attended The College of Saint Rose. Before entering the Sisters of St. Joseph, Sister Patricia was employed as a lab assistant in Port-of-Spain, Trinidad, and as a factory worker in General Electric, Pittsfield. On March 19, 1946, she entered the novitiate of the Sisters of St. Joseph in Troy, NY, and professed final vows on August 15, 1951. Sister Patricia received a bachelor's degree in social studies and a master's degree in history, both from The College of Saint Rose. She taught in schools in the Albany, Syracuse and Honolulu (HI) Dioceses; spent a year in Kyoto, Japan; and served in various areas at St. Joseph's Provincial House, including the Dietary Department, the infirmary, the Personnel Office, the library and the Coventry Guild. Sister Patricia was a voracious reader with a passion for good literature and an indefatigable appetite for learning. Her intellectual curiosity never waned, and her versatility of topics ranged from the spiritual to the political to the mundane. Her reading brought vivacity to her conversations which reflected a wealth of broad-based knowledge. The highlight of her years of ministry was the time Sister Patricia spent in Hawaii; the beauty of the Islands and the warmth of the Hawaiian people brought her much peace. Sister Patricia was a faithful Sister of St. Joseph whose life of prayer, community and service prepared her well for her final journey. Sister Patricia is survived by her brother and sister-in-law, John and Joyce Coyne, of Tom's River, NJ; and by the Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet. In addition to her parents, she was predeceased by many friends in the Sisters of St. Joseph. Sister Patricia's funeral will be held on Thursday, December 29, at 11:00 a.m. from Our Lady Queen of Virgins at St. Joseph's Provincial House, Latham. Interment will be on the grounds of St. Joseph's Provincial House. Calling hours will be held in the chapel on Wednesday, December 28, from 4:00-7:00 p.m. with the wake service at 7:00 p.m. Donations in Sister Patricia's name may be made to the Development Office, Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet, 385 Watervliet-Shaker Road, Latham, NY 12110. For directions, information or to light a memory candle for the family please visit www.dufresneandcavanaugh.com