Ervina "Jay" Coyle

Uncasville — Ervina “Jay” Coyle, 98, passed away peacefully Sept.1, 2023, at home in Uncasville, while under the care of Masonic Care Home Health and Hospice. Born Feb. 26, 1925, in Taunton, Mass., to the late Mary Rose and William John Wilson, Jay graduated from Stonington High School and attended Thames Valley State Technical College.
She was one of the first female welders to work at General Dynamics/Electric Boat during World War II. She also worked as a telephone operator at Southern New England Telephone Company for 15 years prior to becoming an engineer for 20 years and retiring in 1968. Jay was a member of Pioneers of Southern New England Telephone Company and the VFW Auxiliary.
Winters were spent in Palm Bay, Fla., with her granddaughter Debbie Gentry and summers were spent with her son and family. Jay was an avid golfer, loved to travel, went on cruises, loved to dance, went to the theater, listened to big band music, and most recently, Jay could be found playing cards and Mexican train dominos with family.
Jay is survived by her son Henry William Phillips and companion Karen Rowland of Uncasville; seven grandchildren: Debbie Gentry of Florida, Robert Arthur of Texas, Tammy Phillips of Connecticut, Sandy Shaw of Texas, Dawn McCloud of Georgia, Jacinda Arthur of Texas, and Shawn Newton of Texas; eighteen great-grandchildren, and nine great-great-grandchildren. She was predeceased by her by longtime companion and husband Arthur Lopriore of Westerly, R.I.; daughter Jessie Newton of Plano, Texas; and siblings: Thomas Kerr, May Hawkins, Helen Kerr and Evelyn Riccardino.
There will be a Celebration of Life at noon Nov. 10, 2023, at Filomena’s, 262 Boston Post Road in Waterford. Gagne-Piechowoski Funeral Home, 490 Voluntown Road, Jewett City assisted the family.

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