Obituary of Sr. Mary Eloise Kays

Sister Mary Eloise Kays, Sister of MercySister Eloise, 83, died peacefully on Thursday, May 28, 2009 at JFK Medical Center, Edison, NJ.Sister Eloise was born and raised in Phillipsburg, NJ. She entered the Sisters of Mercy in 1949 and received a BS degree in Business Administration from Georgian Court College, Lakewood, NJ and an MA degree in Business Education from Rider College, Lawrenceville, NJ.She began her teaching career in Holy Cross School, Rumson and after a year she started her career in Secondary Education. She was chairperson of the business department at Red Bank Catholic High School and then transferred to be part of the founding faculty at Notre Dame High School, Lawrenceville, NJ where she began the business department and was named associate principal. In 1969 she co-founded St. Pius X High School in Piscataway, NJ. She also served as acting superintendent of secondary schools in the Metuchen Diocese.In 1984 when she became Directress of Mount Saint Mary Academy in Watchung, NJ the Academy enjoyed national recognition as an "Exemplary Private School" a designation bestowed on it by the US Department of Education. In 2000 Sister Eloise left the Mount to begin a career in guidance at Union Catholic High School in Scotch Plains, NJ. She continued as a guidance counselor to the "delightful freshman" until her sudden death. She left a saddened group of students and faculty at Union Catholic.For more than 50 years Sister Eloise energetically, enthusiastically and efficiently served as educator with her most significant contribution being the unselfish leadership she has provided in promoting the goals of Catholic education. She is survived by her brothers Eugene Kays and wife Marion of Wilson Borough, PA and Phillip Kays and wife Dorothy of Phillipsburg, NJ and sister Jane Louise Daillo of Palmer Township, PA, Sister in law, Katherine Kays of Palmer Township, PA, cousins, David and Sally Hixon, many nieces, nephews and grand nieces and nephews.She was also predeceased by brothers John "Jack" Kays and Charles Kays.Visitation will take place at Mount Saint Mary, Immaculate Conception Chapel on Sunday, May 31, 2009 from 3:00 to 7:00 pm and on Monday, June 1 from 9:00 to 11:00 am followed by Mass of Christian burial at 11:00am. Burial in Holy Redeemer Cemetery, South Plainfield, NJ.Memorial Contributions may be made to Union Catholic High School, 1600 Martine Ave., Scotch Plains, NJ 07076 or to the Sisters of Mercy, Mid-Atlantic Community, Mount Saint Mary, 1645 Highway 22, Watchung, NJ 07069