Sr. Eileen Kelleher, 1924 – 2015

Sister Eileen Kelleher (formerly Mother Mary James) died peacefully at Andrus on Hudson on November 12, 2015. She was born on April 2, 1924 to Lillian and James Kelleher in New York, NY.

Eileen entered the Ursulines on January 15, 1946, and made her first profession of vows on July 16, 1948. She began teaching at Blessed Sacrament School in New Rochelle, 1950-1957. After teaching at the Ursuline Academy in Wilmington from 1957 to 1959, she taught for one year at the Academy of Mount St. Ursula in the Bronx. After tertianship in Rome, she taught at The Ursuline School in New Rochelle 1961-1962. She became Assistant Novice Mistress in Beacon, New York, from 1962 to 1966, and then Provincial Secretary for one year. From 1966 until 1995 she returned to teach at The Ursuline School.

In her retirement she volunteered to teach English as a Second Language from 1996 to 2006 at the Hope Community Center and later for a year at the Adult Learning Center, both in New Rochelle.

Eileen was an avid reader with broad interests in the world around her. She held a Master’s degree in English from Fordham University. To enhance her teaching she attended a variety of workshops at universities on topics relevant to her teaching, including writing, international women writers, and an NEH workshop.

She is survived by one brother and one sister and was predeceased by her parents and two brothers.

Wake will be held on Tuesday, November 17 from 2 p.m.to 5 p.m. (Prayer Service – 3:30 p.m.) at the chapel of the Province Center, 1338 North Ave., New Rochelle. Mass of Christian Burial will be held there on Wednesday, November 18 at 9:30 a.m. In place of flowers, gifts may be sent to the Retirement Fund, Ursuline Provincialate, 1338 North Avenue, New Rochelle, NY 10804.