Sandra J. Coyle

Sandra J. Coyle, age 80, of Wayne, passed away peacefully on Friday, May 9, 2025.

The second of five children and the only daughter of Harold and Grace (Ruuth) Coyle, Sandy was born in Paterson and raised in the Packanack Lake section of Wayne, NJ. She graduated from DePaul High School, Wayne, NJ, Class of 1962, and went on to complete her education at Berkeley Secretarial School in West Paterson, graduating with honors.

Sandy’s first job after graduating from Berkeley was with an insurance agency in Montclair.

Following her marriage and the blessing of a daughter and three sons, Sandy devoted the formative years of her children’s lives to being a loving mother and homemaker. Once her children gained a measure of independence, she reentered the workforce in 1991 as a secretary at the Federated Department Stores headquarters in Totowa. Her flair for efficiency, accuracy, and organizational skill quickly led to a series of promotions, culminating in her role as Executive Secretary to the Vice President of Field Logistics. She retired in 2001.

Sandy met her future husband, Edward Coyle, through one of Ed’s coworkers. While in college, Ed worked part-time at Grand Way Grocery, where a coworker excitedly told him about a girl she knew who happened to share his last name. After several attempts to meet—delayed because Sandy was busy babysitting her three younger brothers—the two finally went on a date. Her name was Sandra Coyle, and that first Sunday afternoon trip to Asbury Park launched a wonderful relationship and an even more extraordinary marriage that would span over 61 years.

After just eight months of dating, Ed proposed to Sandy at a boat basin marina on the Hudson River. With her radiant smile, Sandy said yes, and together they began planning their wedding. Her father had one condition: Sandy couldn’t marry until she was at least twenty. So, two days after her twentieth birthday, Sandy and Ed exchanged vows before God, family, and friends on Saturday, September 19, 1964, at Immaculate Heart of Mary Church in Sandy’s hometown of Wayne. Their reception was held at the Friar Tuck Inn in Clifton, and they honeymooned at Elbow Beach in Bermuda. That trip almost took a tragic turn when Sandy, unfamiliar with driving on the left side of the road, accidentally steered her moped into oncoming traffic!

The newlyweds began their life together in an apartment above Ed’s parents’ home in Elmwood Park, on 18 Church Street. In 1969, they moved into their brand-new home in the Packanack Lake section of Wayne, built on a cul-de-sac with four family homes next to each other along with Ed’s parents and two sisters and brother in laws. At one point, Sandy even petitioned the town to rename their road to “Coyle Way.” Though the effort was unsuccessful, it demonstrated her trademark tenacity.

Sandy and Ed remained in their Packanack Lake home to the present day. It was the perfect place to raise their four children, who enjoyed a warm and structured upbringing. Sandy ran a tight but loving household. Dinner was served daily at 4:30 PM sharp, and on Sundays at 5:00 PM, the Coyles were always at Immaculate Heart of Mary Church—often followed by a family trip to Hardie’s for hot dogs. A resourceful mother, Sandy was always ready to support her children. When algebra posed a challenge, she taught herself the subject so she could teach them. Her children knew they couldn’t get away with much, but they also knew how deeply she loved them—because she told them so every day.

Family vacations were filled with joyful memories. Each summer, Sandy and Ed took their family to Wildwood Crest, staying at the Pan American in Room 114. Fresh donuts from Packanack Bakery sweetened the two-and-a-half-hour drive. In later years, they enjoyed time at their condo in Ocean City, NJ, and wintered at Sugar Creek Country Club in Bradenton, Florida.

Sandy’s unwavering faith in God was the foundation of her life and informed all her most important decisions. Since 1969, she was a devoted parishioner at Immaculate Heart of Mary R.C. Church. A true prayer warrior, she prayed E-V-E-R-Y D-A-Y for everything and everyone. Despite her fiery spirit, she had a heart full of compassion. Who else but Sandy would give mouth-to-mouth resuscitation to her son’s dog during a seizure? And who else but Ed would happen to drive by at that exact moment—and keep on driving in classic, humorous Ed fashion?

Sandy’s love for Christmas was legendary. Each year, she sang “Happy Birthday” to Jesus on Christmas Day and hosted Ed’s family on Christmas Eve and her own on Christmas Day—nearly thirty years in a row.

She also had a cherished relationship with her favorite soap opera, The Young and the Restless. Watching it was sacred—no interruptions allowed. Her devotion to the show earned her nicknames like “Marge” and “The Duchess” from her kids.

Sandy will be remembered for countless reasons. Spirited and driven, she set high standards for herself and encouraged others to be their best. A true Energizer Bunny, she wouldn’t rest until she had walked at least 10,000 steps each day. She was a fighter—for her family, her beliefs, and even her cable bill, which she was disputing with Optimum just days before her passing.

To Sandy, her family extended beyond her immediate circle. Her daughters-in-law were daughters in her eyes, and she maintained strong friendships from her DePaul High School days.

The world was truly a better place with Sandy in it. Her legacy lives on in all those she touched.

Sandra was the beloved wife of Edward Coyle, with whom she shared 61 blessed years of marriage. She was the devoted mother of Cathy Lynn Coyle of Wayne; Ryan P. Coyle and wife Nancy of Wayne; Mark Coyle and wife Carla of Wayne; and Greg Coyle and wife Lara of Wayne. She was the cherished grandmother of Brittany (Jonathan), Ryan (Emma), Taylor (Zach), Nick (Olivia), Canon (Hannah), Tommy (Carla), Mackenzie, and Chelsea; the proud great-grandmother of Jaxon; and the dear sister of Harold “Buzz” Coyle of South Jersey, Ken Coyle and wife Ginger of Tempe, Arizona, Doug Coyle and wife Donna of North Carolina, and Wayne Coyle and wife Sissy of South Jersey. She is also lovingly remembered by numerous nieces and nephews. Sandy was predeceased by her parents, Harold and Grace (Ruuth) Coyle.

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In lieu of flowers, those wishing to express sympathy in Sandy’s memory may consider a donation to one of the following charitable organizations:

Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center

P.O. Box 5028

Hagerstown, MD 21741-5028

To download a mailable form CLICK HERE

John Theurer Cancer Center

c/o Hackensack Meridian Health Foundation

92 2nd Street

Hackensack, NJ 07601

St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital

501 St. Jude Place

Memphis, TN 38105

Please indicate that your gift is in memory of Sandra J. Coyle