Sister Miriam Cecile Lenihan, O.P., a member of the Sisters of St. Dominic, Amityville, for 66 years, died Dec. 22. She was 84.
Born as Nora in Astoria, she attended St. Joseph’s School, Astoria, and Dominican Commercial H.S. in Jamaica. After working for a few months at the Brooklyn Marriage Tribunal in Brooklyn, she entered the congregation in 1951.
She taught at St. Catherine of Siena School, Springfield Gardens; American Martyrs, Bayside; and St. Patrick’s, Huntington, from 1953 to 1959.
She then studied music education, receiving a bachelor’s degree at Manhattanville College; a master’s from Queens College; and a doctorate in education from St. John’s University.
From 1969 to 1972, she was an itinerant music teacher while residing at Our Lady of Hope Convent, Middle Village, and Good Shepherd, Marine Park.
In 1979, she entered contemplative life as a member of the community at Our Lady of Grace Monastery in North Guilford, Conn.
In 1981, she returned to her Amityville community and began a long tenure as a music professor and department chairman at Molloy College, Rockville Centre.
She learned to play the harp and during her retirement years could often be found playing in the rotunda at feast days and jubilee celebrations in Amityville.
Sister Miriam Cecile is survived by her brother, John, and her sisters, Alice and Catherine. Burial was in the Sisters Cemetery in Amityville.
So sad she was a lovely teacher. She was our music teacher at Incarnation Parish QV May she rest in eternal peace.
SISTER MIRIAM CECILE REPLACED SISTER MARY ELISE TOAL OP IN CHARGE OF THE CHILDRENS AND TEENS CHIOR IN ST. CATHERINE OF SIENNA, ST. ALBANS, NOT SPRINGFIELD GARDENS. SHE PLAYED THE ORGAN AND WAS A WONDERFUL TEACHER.
I had the absolute pleasure of being her student
In 4th & 5th grades. We performed “My Fair Lady”. She was a solid woman of faith. I did speak with her once over the telephone as an adult and she remained a woman of conviction and example.