Sister Eileen Ward died peacefully on November 16, 2025, at Convent of the Holy Spirit and Mary Immaculate in San Antonio, Texas. Born in Menlough, County Galway, Ireland on May 26, 1928, Eileen was the daughter of Martin and Ellen Ward. She was predeceased by her eight siblings.
Sr. Eileen entered the Sisters of the Holy Spirit and Mary Immaculate in 1945 and spent more than 20 years teaching in the congregation’s schools in Texas and Louisiana. In 1967, Sister Eileen joined three other sisters to form the Sisters of St. Joseph in Tulsa, Oklahoma. In Tulsa, she taught at Cathedral School and St. Patrick’s School and for 37 years she taught at School of St. Mary where she was regarded as “an icon” of the school. She prepared students who were just beginning their spiritual journeys to act on God’s word and to protect each other with the same vigilance that St. Joseph protected his holy family.
After her retirement, Eileen returned to San Antonio and lived with her original congregation until God took her home. There was an enviable peace about Sr. Eileen that could only come from her solid belief that God was truly near.
A Memorial Mass will be held at Church of Saint Mary on Saturday, December 6th at 10:30 am.
1928-2025
