Obituary of Sr. Eileen Lowden
SISTER EILEEN LOWDEN SISTER OF MERCY
Sister Eileen Lowden, age 77, formerly Sister Mary Franz, died peacefully on March 26, 2019 at McAuley Health Care Center in Watchung, NJ. She was the daughter of Gordon and Helen Lowden. Sister Eileen was born in Burlington, NJ. She attended St. Paul School in Burlington and Cathedral High School in Trenton, NJ. Both schools were staffed by the Sisters of Mercy. Sister Eileen entered the Sisters of Mercy and graduated from Georgian Court College (now University) where she earned both a bachelors degree in elementary education and a masters degree in education.
Sister Eileen began her teaching career at Sacred Heart School in South Plainfield, NJ She taught in the following schools in the Trenton and Camden dioceses: Sts. Philip and James School in Phillipsburg; St. Elizabeth School in Bernardsville; St Francis Cabrini School in Piscataway; and St.John School in Paulsboro. She was also principal of St. John School. Sister Eileen was offered the role as assistant superintendent of schools which she accepted. She was also made superintendent of Education Services. After a sabbatical year at Mercy Center in Connecticut, Sister Eileen accepted a position as principal of St. Francis Cathedral School in Metuchen, NJ. She described her years in education as saying “that all classrooms should be child-centered since this is the reason for having schools.” Sister Eileen joined the leadership team of the Sisters of Mercy of New Jersey and served in that role for five years. Her visit to El Salvador on the 25th anniversary of the deaths of the four churchwomen, as well as, the poverty of the people and the suffering that country endured made a lasting impression on her.
Sister Eileen is survived by her brothers: Francis of Willingboro, Joseph and John of Punta Gordo, Florida; and Rita Lowden of Burlington, New Jersey. Sister Eileen is survived by many nieces and nephews as well as many friends who are Sisters of Mercy.
Visitation will take place on Saturday the 30th of March from 8:30 to 10:30 AM, at the Immaculate Conception Chapel of Mount St. Mary, 1645 US Highway 22 West, Watchung, NJ 07069.
Welcome Home will take place at 9:30 AM
Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10:30 AM
Burial will be at Holy Redeemer Cemetery, South Plainfield, NJ
Memorial donations may be made to the Sisters of Mercy 1645 US Highway 22 West, Watchung, NJ in memory of Sister Eileen.
