Ann Coyle

Deceased Sisters

Ann Coyle - United Kingdom
14/12/1931 - 29/08/2020

Sr Ann was born to good Catholic parents in Lurgacloy, Belmullet, Co Mayo, Ireland, where the sun shone on the glistening waters of the Atlantic in summer and the waves hurled rapidly against the coast in winter.

Her parents were Catherine Coyle (Togher) and Pat Coyle. Ann was the eldest child in her family of five girls and four boys.

After much prayer and reflection Ann, like many young girls of her era decided to give her life to God in the service of people. That was a big sacrifice at the time for it meant one would be unable to visit home for at least twelve years. However Ann took the plunge and entered the Marist Novitiate in Carrick-on Shannon in March 1951. She made her First Vows on 5^th March 1953 in Carrick-on-Shannon, Co Leitrim, Ireland.

In March 1953, after her Profession she spent some time serving the Lord in Carrick and Fulham by providing meals for the communities. She loved trying new recipes, she excelled ‘Mary Berry’ with her savoury dishes and wine making. Sr Ann was a terrific cook and prepared meals for St Peter’s and St Paul’s Children’s Groups in the Homestead, Nympsfield, from 1964 until 1970.

In 1970 Sr Ann went to Gloucester General Hospital and trained as a State Enrolled Nurse and practised in the locality until 1976. Sr Ann was a district nurse and a very caring one too. She noticed little things, small signs and symptoms. Her quick response saved many a patient from more prolonged illnesses. Her colleagues admired her for this.

In 1968 while resident in Nympsfield Sr Ann attended a Renewal Couse in Hawkstone Hall, Shropshire.

Sr Ann went to Manchester in 1978 and continued her nursing career driving around in a silver mini-car to visit her patients and retired from Community Nursing in 1992 when Sr Ann had a Sabbatical Year and attended a Renewal Course at Regina Mundi in Rome.

Sr. Ann loved Our Lady of Lourdes and after retiring from nursing in 1992 she began fundraising for pilgrims to go to the Holy Shrine. Her enthusiasm and her determination were unbounded. Her car boot sales, which she organised while she was in Nell Lane Manchester, enabled many to go on pilgrimage to Lourdes.

After she left Manchester she went to Goldthorpe, South Yorkshire where she continued her fundraising –now with a market stall in Goldthorpe. People looked forward to buying at “Ann’s shop” A ninety year old still proudly wears skirts she purchased at the above shop. Here Sr. Ann was very popular with the other stall holders and with her customers who enjoyed looking for bargains.

Sr Ann also had Car-boot-sales in Doncaster on several Sundays. She helped over 100 people from Manchester and Goldthorpe visit Lourdes as the result of her fund-raising.

While resident in Goldthorpe, for a number of years, Sr Ann travelled some distance weekly to visit patients in a Prison Hospital at the request of concerned friends. Her work there was very much appreciated by patients and staff.

In 2011, in the later years of her life Sr Ann came to Villa Maria in Hythe, Kent. Here too she was kind to all the Sisters and loved to help the less able ones. She enjoyed reading and writing and made sure she read the Catholic Herald and followed all the proceedings in the Church and State.

As Sr Ann gradually got weaker she spent more time in her room, but was still interested in Pope Francis’ inspiring letters and documents. In the last few weeks of her life her speech was barely audible. Some sisters sat quietly in her room and prayed silently with her. She passed away quietly and peacefully on 29^th August, Jeanne Marie Chavoin’s birthday. Srs Genevieve and Teresa were with her as she breathed her last. Our Lady of Lourdes must have welcomed her to her Heavenly Home.

May she rest in Peace.

Deceased Sisters

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