Obituary of Sr. Mary Peter Coakley

Sister Mary Peter Coakley, Sister of Mercy Sister Mary Peter, 97, died peacefully Tuesday, January 15, 2013 at McAuley Hall Health Care Center in Watchung, NJ Born in South Amboy, she was educated at St. Mary Elementary School and High School in South Amboy and entered the Sisters of Mercy in 1932. Her early teaching began at Our Lady Star of the Sea School in Atlantic City, NJ where she taught for 7 years. In 1946 she began her studies at Georgian Court which was the beginning of her career in chemistry. She received a BA degree in chemistry from Georgian Court College. and continued her studies with a teaching assistantship at the University of Notre Dame, IN. There she was awarded a MS degree in chemistry and a PhD degree in inorganic and physical chemistry with a fellowship from the Atomic Energy Commission . She was the only woman permitted to study on the campus at that time. Sister Mary Peter had an extraordinary career in teaching, research and lecturing at Georgian Court College, Lakewood, NJ. She was a member of the American Chemical Society, The National Science Teachers Assoc., Institute of Chemists, American Assoc of University Professors and the Mercy Higher Ed Society. She also chaired National Science Foundation task forces and served on the Board of Trustees of the Ocean County Chapter of the American Chemical Society. She received grants for over $400,000.00 and was able to equip the chemistry labs for a new science wing at Georgian Court College. Her colleagues and students called her a phenomenally good teacher, one who encouraged her students to excel. She was a devoted member of the Sisters of Mercy for 80 years. She is survived by many nieces, nephews, grand and great grand nieces and nephews and many Sisters of Mercy. Visitation will take place at McAuley Hall Health Care Center, Saint Catherine of Siena Chapel on Friday, January18, 2013 from 9:30 to 11:00 am followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 11:00 am. Interment will be in Holy Redeemer Cemetery, South Plainfield, NJ Memorial Contributions may be made to Sisters of Mercy, Mid-Atlantic Community, Mount Saint Mary, 1645 Highway 22, Watchung, NJ 07069 Arrangements by Higgins Funeral Home, Watchung, NJ