Sister Eileen McGowan, D.W., 92, a Daughter of Divine Wisdom for 72 years, died Nov. 26 at her residence, Our Lady of Perpetual Help Convent in Sound Beach, L.I.
After her graduation from Our Lady of Wisdom Academy, Ozone Park, she entered the novitiate in 1945 at age 19 and received the name Sister Eileen of the Holy Face.
She spent the next 22 years in Canada obtaining degrees at the Universities of Ottawa and Montreal. She served as an English teacher in Grenville and Dorval, in Quebec, Canada, and Montreal and Edmundston, New Brunswick, Canada.
She completed her studies for masters’ degrees in English at St. John’s University, Jamaica, and in theology at St. Michael’s College, Vermont.
Returning to the U.S. in 1968, she taught English and religion and became head of the religion department at Christ the King H.S., Middle Village, where she remained for 28 years. In later years, she was entered into the school’s Hall of Fame.
As a retired teacher, she worked tirelessly in Rachel Ministry, consoling and bringing healing to women who had experienced abortions. Along with that, she joined the telephone ministry of friendship to the elderly of Resurrection-Ascension parish in Rego Park.
She moved to assisted living at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Convent in 2015.
She was predeceased by her brother Neal, and three cousins, Sisters Catherine, Mary and Theresa Curtin, all Daughters of Wisdom.
Sister Eileen was my teacher at CK for Freshman, Junior and Senior year, 1971-1975. I found her to be so full of life and compassion, which she expressed through her teaching. Of the many teachers I had from elementary school through high school, she was definitely in the top ten. I know where she is and pray that she will pray for me as well.
God Bless you Sister Eileen.