Eleni Coyle

Dr Eleni (Helen) Coyle, the loving mother of Sean, Kiriakos (Kirk), Christopher, and Stephen, and beloved wife of James Coyle, passed away on Monday. She was 61. Born in Aigaleo, Athens, Greece in February of 1962 to parents Anastasia (Stasa) and Kyriakos Emmanuelidis, Eleni (Neni) grew up in a tight nit Greek family who traveled between Aigaelo and the island Crete. Her family quickly realized they had a fun loving, intelligent, and compassionate little girl on their hands. Along with her two older brothers, Anastasios (Taso) and Konstantinos (Dino), Neni loved playing at the neighborhood parks, going on drives in her father's VW Beetle, and making lasting friendships, especially with the Koumantakis children (Leonidas, Dimitra, Michalis, and Grigoris) with whom they developed a lifelong bond. Later in childhood, Neni’s family spent time between New York, and Aigaleo. It was during this time that her parents brought Neni to factories to observe machinery in action, encouraged her with educational aspirations, and empowered her to achieve her educational goals. Neni quickly developed a passion for science, mathematics and engineering and she made a name for herself at her high school, Ralleios Gymnasio in Piraeus. Her classmates nicknamed her “Albert” in honor of Albert Einstein, and Neni graduated Valedictorian of her High School class in 1979. Later that year, Neni began her undergraduate studies at Stevens Institute of Technology in Hoboken, NJ, where she was part of the trailblazing first group of women who were admitted into Stevens when the school approved the admission of Undergraduate women in the 1970s. It was while at Stevens that Neni met Chemistry Lab partner, and future love of her life, Jim Coyle. Neni and Jim both graduated with a Bachelor of Engineering in 1983, and Neni later earned her Master of Chemical Engineering in 1985. Neni and Jim were engaged in December 1983, and were married in June of 1985, at St Catherine’s church in Piraeus. They honeymooned in Rhodes. Neni spent the first few years of her career as a Chemical Engineer at Mobil Chemical in the 1980s, but soon joined forces with her brothers at Olympic Marine in Brooklyn, where she worked until 1993. In 1989, Neni attained one of the roles that would truly define her legacy: Mom. Neni and Jim welcomed the birth of the first son, Sean in 1989. Soon afterwards, Neni welcomed Kiriakos (1991), Christopher (1993) and Stephen (1995). Neni would often say she was blessed with “ena kai dio kai tria kai tessera paidia”, as the old Greek song goes. She was a constant source of inspiration for her children, and she had unwavering spirit and joy. She instilled in her four boys how to live in the fullness of Christ, and tirelessly encouraged them to always to “Love One Another”. She was a dedicated and loving Mom, who always put her children first, and ensured that they had everything they needed to succeed in life. By 1997, Neni’s children were old enough to go to school on their own, so Neni decided to take on a new role - Science Teacher. Neni began her teaching career at New Milford High School, where she spent 2 years developing a passion for teaching all levels of Physics, Chemistry and Physical Science. A few years later Neni joined the Academy of the Holy Angels, where she initiated the AP Physics B course, after studying at Manhattan College to prepare. In the Fall of 2007 she found, on an opportunity that she could not refuse - a chance to teach her own children as a Science Teacher at Tenafly High School. Throughout her time at Tenafly High School, “Mrs. Coyle” was deeply committed to making a positive impact on the THS community. She spearheaded the creation of the Science Research Class and led the organization of the end-of-year Science Research Symposium, where THS students showcased their research work to the Tenafly community. She also served as an Organizer of International Week at Mackay Elementary School and was co-director of the music boosters. She was so proud to be a part of the Educational Community in Tenafly. Neni was an incredibly inspiring and supportive teacher and mentor to all she encountered in her classroom. She had an intoxicating smile that filled the room with joy. She was an inspiration for countless students, and influenced many children to pursue a career in science and engineering. Outside of THS, Neni achieved many teaching awards and accolades. In 2018, she was honored to be awarded the New Jersey Teacher of the Year at Princeton University. In 2022, Neni graduated from the University of Louisiana at Monroe with her Doctor of Education. When asked to describe her studies and scholarly achievements, she often replied “My children are my scholarly achievements!” Neni, Jim, and her children have been devoted parishioners of Saint John the Theologian in Tenafly, NJ for many years, and she served as a Sunday School teacher for more than 30 of those years. She was an advisor for the Greek Orthodox Youth Association and for the Venture Crew at St. John’s, and more recently Neni was proud to run the St. John Chrysostom Oratorical Festival with her family. In 2022, Neni was deeply honored when she was selected for the Religious Education Award by the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of New Jersey. Neni was the world’s best mother-in-law to Sarah Coyle (Sean), Caitlin Coyle (Kiriakos), and Lexi Coyle (Christopher), and she was so looking forward to meeting her first granddaughter next month. She was a loving aunt to so many nieces and nephews and loved all their children as her own grandchildren. She was a devoted sister-in-law, and loving Nonna to many god children and loved her entire family immeasurably. Although our mother Neni was proud of all the names she had in life, like Eleni, Helen, Neni, Mrs. Coyle, Nonna, Theia Neni, Dr. Coyle, Yaya Neni, or Agapi Mou, she would tell you that she was most proud to be called “Ma”. Every person Neni encountered couldn’t help but feel blessed by her positive spirit, profound faith, persistent perseverance, gentle smile, and contagious laughter. Her love and light will live on through all who knew her, and she will be missed more than words can describe in any language. May her memory be eternal. Visitation on Thursday, April 6 from 4-8PM at Barrett Leber Funeral Home, 148 Dean Dr, Tenafly. Funeral Service on Friday, April 7 at 11AM at St. John The Theologian Greek Orthodox Church, 353 East Clinton Ave, Tenafly. Interment to follow at 1230PM at George Washington Memorial Park, 234 Paramus Road, Paramus. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in Eleni's name to IOCC (International Orthodox Christian Charities) at https://www.facebook.com/donate/908852953755109/?fundraiser_source=external_url

Eleni Coyle

April 3, 2023