Sister Eileen’s ministry in Our Lady Queen of Apostles Regional School was so well known that Suffolk County declared “Sister Eileen Martin Day” when she retired. Her successful fund-raising events provided new educational, athletic, and after-school programs that drew recognition for her dedication to Catholic education.
Sister Eileen Alice Martin, Sister Maureen Ann, was born October 28, 1933, in Brooklyn, New York, one of two daughters of James and Catherine Treanor Martin. Eileen attended Corpus Christi Elementary School and Blessed Sacrament High School, both in Manhattan. After graduation she worked for two years before entering the Sisters of Charity of New York on September 8, 1953. Sister Maureen Ann obtained a BA in History from College (University) of Mount Saint Vincent, an MA in Elementary Education from Seton Hall University, New Jersey, and an MA in Parish Ministry and Spirituality from Saint Michael College in Vermont. New York State awarded her Permanent Certification in Social Studies, 7-12, and School Administration.
Sister Eileen’s fifty years of ministry were spent in elementary education as teacher and administrator. In her first ten years of teaching, she was assigned to Saint Mary, Yonkers, Saint Margaret of Cortona, the Bronx, and Saint Mary, Staten Island. She was then assigned to Blessed (Saint) Elizabeth Ann Seton in Shrub Oak, New York, where she taught for fifteen years. In 1981, she assumed administration of Saint John the Evangelist School in Center Moriches, New York, followed by teaching and faith formation opportunities in upstate New York. She returned to Center Moriches to become administrator of the recently created Our Lady Queen of Apostles Regional Catholic School, a position she held for fifteen years, until retirement in 2007.
Sister Eileen volunteered in the religious education, youth, and homebound ministries of Saint John the Evangelist Parish, along with visiting a local nursing home and a prison in Riverhead. In 2015, she joined the retirement community of Mount Saint Vincent Convent, later moving to Cabrini of Westchester in Dobbs Ferry, New York, where she resided when she died on February 22, 2025, in her seventy-second year of commitment as a Sister of Charity of New York.
Sister Eileen’s ministry in Our Lady Queen of Apostles Regional School was so well known that Suffolk County declared “Sister Eileen Martin Day” when she retired. Her successful fund-raising events provided new educational, athletic, and after-school programs that drew recognition for her dedication to Catholic education. In her “down time”, she loved to walk the beach or read a good book.
Sister Eileen loved her Irish heritage, which was easy to recognize in her, and an Irish tune always had her up and dancing. She spread her devotion for Mary, Mother of God, to the children, teaching them the rosary and praying it with them in small groups.
Sister Eileen, in your life you remained true to what you learned in faith. Your call now is to give God the life you have known toreceive the promised “. . . share in the glorious freedom of the children of God.” (Romans 8:21).
Date of Death
February 22, 2025
Age
91
Wake
Thursday, February 27, 2025
9:00-10:30 a.m.
Prayer Service at 10:00 a.m. (Livestreamed)
Mount Saint Vincent Convent
venue.streamspot.com/217aa3db
Funeral
Thursday, February 27, 2025
10:45 a.m. (Livestreamed)
Mount Saint Vincent Convent
venue.streamspot.com/217aa3db
Burial
St. Joseph Cemetery, 208 Truman Avenue, Yonkers NY, 10703
Missions
- St. Mary, Yonkers, NY, Teacher, Grade 2, 1956-1957
- St. Margaret of Cortona, Bronx, NY, Teacher, Grade 1, 1957-1959
- St, Mary, Staten Island, NY, Teacher, Grades 1, 4, 5, 1959-1966
- Blessed Elizabeth Ann Seton, Schrub Oak, NY, Teacher, Grades 3, 5, 6, 7, 1966-1981
- Capuchin Youth Ministries, Garrison, NY, Youth Minister Retreat House, 1987-1988
- St. Mary, Fishkill, NY, Teacher, Grade 2, 1988-1989
- St. John the Evangelist, Center Moriches, NY, Administrator, 1989-1991
- Our Lady Queen of Apostles Regional Catholic School, Center Moriches, NY, Administrator, 1992-2007
- Scholar’s Edge of Eastport, Center Moriches, NY, Volunteer – Pre-K Teacher Aide and for CCD, 2007-2015
- St. John the Evangelist, Center Moriches, NY, Volunteer-Greeter for Baptism and Youth Ministry, 2007-2015
- Minister to the Homebound, Cedar Lodge Nursing Home, and Riverside Prison Ministry, Center Moriches, NY, 2007-2015
We are saddened by your great loss of Sister Eileen S.C. May she rest in eternal peace. It is very sad to see so many good sister passing but she is in her glory in the kingdom of Heaven. eternal rest grant unto her O Lord.
Condolences to her family and to Eileen’s community. I’m sad to hear of her passing. I met Sister Eileen at St Michael’s college and in no time became best friends. She had a joyful spirit, loved everything Irish. I treasure many happy memories and my visits to Centre Moriches.
Living and Canada and raising a family I lost touch with her but she remained a great friend in my heart. May she rest in peace. I hope she’s enjoying one of those white Russians she loved in the day.
So many going HOME. Sister must have been in Shrub Oak with Sr. Xavier Greene. Sorry for your loss.
Absolutely one of my most favorite teachers ever! She didn’t just teach her students a curriculum she taught us how to read the Bible; she gave me my very first adult Bible. Sr. Eileen got to know her students and met them where they were; whether one of us was going through something personally, or struggling academically everyone felt comfortable and cared about in her class. I know that my grandmother and her became friendly and I don’t know what it was that she helped my grandmother through, but I know that sister Eileen was very special to my Nan! After she left Seton, we kept in touch writing letters here and there for a few years. My deepest condolences to sister Eileen’s family and friends. I will forever cherish and appreciate my wonderful teacher.