Sister Julie Coyne, OSF, was born February 8, 1937 and departed this life August 24, 2016 in the 60th year of her religious life.
Julie Coyne was born in Anthon, Iowa, to her parents Thomas J. Coyne and Emma (Dixon) Coyne. She had 3 brothers and 6 sisters. One brother, Francis died as an infant. After graduating from high school, she entered the convent on August 25, 1956, and on August 12, 1957, she was received into the community and was given the name Sister Marie Peronne.
Julie received a BS in biology at Briar Cliff College and taught science in elementary and high school from 1959 to 1963. She was a student from 1963 to 1966 at Creighton University School of Pharmacy in Omaha, Nebraska. She worked as a pharmacist for 25 years at St. Mary Hospital in Emporia, Kansas, and at Xavier Hospital, Dubuque. Julie recalls that while working as a pharmacist, she was always interested in other modes of healing and found herself drawn to the natural therapies.
In 1991, Julie enrolled in the 1000-hour program at the New Mexico Academy of Massage and Advanced Healing Arts in Santa Fe, New Mexico. She received her certification as a Massage Therapist in the fall of 1992. Julie then sought to gain employment as a massage therapist in a holistic health center, wellness center, medical or chiropractic clinic, retreat center, or in private practice. She found her place in Springfield, MO, where she began her practice at the Center for Therapeutic Massage in the fall of 1992.
Sister Julie spoke of this avocation within her vocation as a ministry. “I see more of life as a whole. I feel a connection with all of creation. My work is a prayer,” she said. “Massage therapy is like a door which opens into an integration of body and spirit and an appreciation of all creation, as well as a deliverance from the stressful distractions of day-to-day living.”
Julie’s gifts reached out to many people in her ministry in education, health care, massage care, and in renewal centers/houses of prayer located in Niles, Illinois; Sioux City; Omaha, Nebraska; Denver, CO; Cherokee; Albany, New York; Dubuque; Emporia, Kansas; Santa Fe, New Mexico; and Springfield, Missouri. Sister retired to Mount St. Francis in 2013.
Sister is survived by her sisters Nancy Brown, Kathleen Deischel, Mary (Joseph) Casillas, Sheila Bradley, Jean (Gerald) Naughton and Colleen (Terry) Wright and brothers Thomas (Jeanette) Coyne, Michael Coyne and her Franciscan sisters with whom she shared 59 years of her life.
Sister was preceded in death by her parents, her brother Francis, and her brothers-in-law Clarence Bradley and Henry Brown.
Sister Julie Coyne is the first member of our congregation to receive a natural burial.
Memorials may be given to the Sisters of St. Francis, 3390 Windsor Ave., Dubuque, IA 52001.
