UPDATED: Sister Eileen Farley dies at age 77
Sister Eileen Farley died Oct. 25, 2009, at Cloud County Health Center in Concordia. She was 77 years old and a Sister of St. Joseph of Concordia for 56 years.
She was born in Fowler, Kan., on Sept. 23, 1932, to James and Anna Murphy Farley, the eighth of nine children, and was baptized Eileen Agnes. She entered the Sisters of St. Joseph of Concordia on Sept. 7, 1952. On March 18, 1953, Eileen received the habit of the Sisters of St. Joseph and was given the name Sister Mary Sheila. Later she returned to her baptismal name, Eileen. She pronounced first vows on March 19, 1954 and final vows on March 19, 1957.
Sister Eileen received a bachelor’s degree in English from Marymount College in Salina and taught in grade schools staffed by the Sisters of St. Joseph in Salina, Park, Damar and Abilene, Kan. Sister Eileen’s ministries also included serving as a nurse aide, manager of a program for women with disabilities, a volunteer at Mt. Joseph Senior Village and as a hospice volunteer. Sister Eileen served on numerous Sisters of St. Joseph committees dedicated to Justice and Peace, and was a member of Pax Christi, Salina. In 1997, she retired to Nazareth Motherhouse where she continued volunteer work in the Concordia area.
Sister Eileen was preceded in death by her parents, four brothers and two sisters. She is survived by her sister Betty Wygant of Grand Junction, Colo., her sister-in-law Mary Farley of Hutchinson, Kan., and many nieces and nephews. A Bible Vigil Service will be Wednesday, Oct. 28, 2009, at 7 p.m. in the Sacred Heart Chapel at the Motherhouse, with Sister Mary Fran Simons as the eulogist. The Mass of Christian Burial will be Thursday, Oct. 29, at 10:30 a.m. in the Motherhouse Chapel, with the Rev. Jack Schlaf presiding. The burial will be in the Nazareth Motherhouse Cemetery. Chaput-Buoy Mortuary, 325 W. 6th St., Concordia, is in charge of arrangements.
Memorials for Sister Eileen Farley may be sent to the Sisters of St. Joseph Health Care/ Retirement Fund or the apostolic works of the Sisters; P.O Box 279, Concordia, KS 66901.
Each and every dream and desire of Eileen is now able to be fulfilled! In addition, she continues to assist and support us in our timely manner of living the Mission of the total double Union.
She is at peace; and living that peace on our behalf–with us.
Thanks God for all of the Eileen’s past, present and to come!
Dear Sisters –
When I heard that Eileen had gone home to God, I was sadden. I will always remember her with a coffee pot in one hand and a hand of cards in the other. Although I don’t drink coffee, I will miss playing cards with her.
Thank you, Dawn, for taking the time to add a note — Sister Mary Fran is giving the eulogy and I will make sure she sees it.
Dear Sisters–
Eileen was such a wonderful and caring person. She always helped with anything that anyone needed, and was usually the first to volunteer. She was always a huge help with mailing the Messenger when she was feeling well.
S. Eileen had gotten my family’s ornament from the Christmas tree in 2007, and responded to my prayers. She was always wonderful asking how my family was and if God had answered my prayers. God definitely answered my prayers, and put another warm and loving person in my life as well. I will miss her great smile and her cute, quiet laugh.
Blessings to you Sisters!
Love and Miss,
Dawn
Our loss is certainly Heaven’s gain. Eileen will surely be missed by all of us but especially by our Motherhouse sisters to whom and with whom she so faithfully served, and in such an unassuming manner. We have no doubt that she is already deep in conversation with God about our “visitation.” So happy that Mary Fran will give her eulogy. They were such good friends.