Sallyann “Sally” T. Coppola, Loving Mother, Grandmother and friend to many, passed away on July 4th in Greenville, RI at the age of 87. Sally moved to RI just over two years ago to be closer to her family but lived most of her life in NJ.
Sally was predeceased by her Parents, Mathilda and Albert Meisinger Sr., her Brother Albert Meisinger Jr. of Andover, MA, and her beloved Daughter Lori Coppola Ryan and her husband Marty of Pilesgrove, NJ.
She is survived by her loving and cherished Daughter Kathy Shilko and her husband John, of Smithfield, RI, her Granddaughter Alexa and her husband Ben Donovan, Granddaughter Ashley and her husband Alex Gray (both of MA), Granddaughter Kellie Ryan of NJ, and many Nieces and Nephews.
Sally was born in East Orange, NJ on August 2nd, 1938, and moved to Millburn, NJ at the age of 2. She graduated from Millburn High School in 1956 and started working for Chubb Insurance in Short Hills; she worked for Chubb and Colonial Life in various locations. She retired after 39 years and thoroughly enjoyed her work and travel as well as all the lifelong friends she made.
After retirement Sally worked for an accounting firm for 16 years and made more lifelong friendships. She also volunteered for various children's programs at local schools and enjoyed helping a beloved senior friend.
Sally loved spending time with family and friends, gardening, and reading. Sally’s true love was all the dogs she had, especially her beloved Lucy and Chloe. She was a devoted animal advocate and supported many animal rights as well as a breast cancer supporter and survivor. Sally had a lifelong fondness of horses and enjoyed horseback riding during her early years.
Sally was a kind, loving, funny, and generous person who touched so many lives with her wit and wisdom. She always put her family and friends first before herself.
Sally’s family would like to thank the wonderful staff at the Village at Waterman Lake where Sally resided in RI. And also, special gratitude to the staff from Harmony Hospice who tended to Sally when she needed special care.
Her visitation will be held Friday, July 10, 2026, from 4-5:45 pm in the Anderson-Winfield Funeral Home, Rt 44 at Greenville Common, Greenville, RI. Her funeral service will be held Friday evening at 5:45 pm.
A memorial services for family and friends will be held in New Jersey on Friday, July 17, 2026 from 11:30am-1pm in the Jacob Holle Funeral Home, 2122 Millburn Avenue, Maplewood, NJ. Prayers will be at 1pm with burial to follow in Gates of Heaven Cemetery, East Hanover, NJ at 2pm.
In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to the National MS Society in memory of her daughter, Lori Coppola Ryan.
National MS Society