Sister Mary Berchmans Coyle, RDC (Margaret Ann Coyle), a member of the Sisters of the Divine Compassion, died on September 18, 2007 after a short illness. Sr. Mary Berchmans was born in Newark, NJ on April 6, 1920, the daughter of Francis S. Coyle and Aileen M. MacCormack Coyle. Sister Mary Berchmans entered the Sisters of the Divine Compassion on August 15, 1939 and made final profession on August 15, 1947. Sister Mary Berchmans attended St. Antonius Elementary School and St. Vincent Academy High School in Newark. She received her B.A. degree in English in 1942 from Good Counsel College in White Plains, and an M.A. degree in Teaching Science from Teachers College, Columbia University in 1949. St. John's University, Jamaica, NY, awarded her a Ph.D in Vocational Guidance in 1958. She held the NYS Department of Education's permanent certification in Guidance.
Sister also did post-graduate work at Ohio State University and Skidmore College. Over the years, she participated in many professional organizations. Sister Berchmans began her long career as a devoted faculty member of Good Counsel College and the College of White Plains in 1941. In 1976, she was named Associate Dean of the School of Continuing Education of Pace University, serving until 1985 when she was named by Pace as the Director of the Division of General Studies in Westchester. She retired from Pace University in May 1991. Beyond her educational activities, Sister was involved in many service programs in the local area, including The Lord's Pantry and Mt. Carmel Parish. For many years, she also worked with the Organization of Separated, Divorced, and Remarried Catholics. Sister Alice Feeley, President of the Sisters of the Divine Compassion, said, "We have lost a generous, perceptive educator whose energetic community-mindedness brought joy and hope to others." Sr. Mary Berchmans is survived by her sisters, Colleen Coyle McDonald and Judith Coyle, both of Orlando, FL, and her brother, Francis Coyle of Dover, DE.