Sister Eileen Clifford died on August 27, 2020 in Siena Hall, Dominican Convent, Sparkill, New York. She was 82 years old.
Born in the Bronx on January 1, 1938, Eileen Mary was the daughter of Jeremiah and Annie Hannigan Clifford. She entered the Dominican Congregation of Our Lady of the Rosary in Sparkill on September 8, 1955 and received the name Sister Theresa Deborah. She professed first vows in 1957 and final vows in 1962.
Sister Eileen earned a BS in Education from St. Thomas Aquinas College, Sparkill, NY, 1960; and an MS in Educational Administration/ Supervision from Fordham University, New York, NY, 1967. She received an Honorary Doctor of Humane Letters degree from St. Thomas Aquinas College in 2009.
Sister Eileen taught in St. Agnes Home and School, Sparkill, NY (1958-1959); St. Helena Elementary School, Bronx, NY (1959-1960, 1964-1967); St. Madeline Sophie School, Schenectady, NY (1960-1963); St. Catherine of Siena School, NY, NY (1963-1964); St. Pius X School, Scarsdale, NY (1967-1968); Msgr. Scanlan HS, Bronx, NY (1968-1975) as teacher, (1975-1979) as Assistant Principal, and (1979-1993) as Principal. From 1993-2002, Sister Eileen served as Associate Vicar for Education in the Archdiocese of New York; she was appointed Vice Chancellor in 2002 and remained in this position until 2019.
Sister Eileen is predeceased by her parents Jeremiah and Annie Hannigan Clifford, her brother Cornelis, and her grandnephew Stephen. She is survived by her nephew Stephen (Tracey) and nieces Donna, Patricia Stelling (Steven), and Cecilia Garbarino (Joseph) as well as grandnieces and grandnephews.
Sister Eileen Clifford was a woman who made a difference in the lives of—students, parents, and colleagues as teacher and administrator. She used her leadership skills in her ministry as Associate Vicar for Education and Vice Chancellor of the Archdiocese of New York. For 65 years, Sister Eileen lived the Congregational goal to proclaim the reign of God through a ministry for justice. We thank God for her life in community and pray that she will enjoy the fullness of God’s presence. Her Dominican Sisters, Associates, family, colleagues, and countless students will miss her presence. Rest in peace, good and faithful servant, Sister Eileen Clifford.