Sister Eileen Lowney, R.S.M.

Sister Eileen V. Lowney, RSM, 66, of Gulfport, MS, died Friday, June 22, 2007, in Gulfport. Sister Eileen was born January 26, 1941, in Castletownbere, County Cork, Ireland. She came to the United States in 1962 and has served in Nativity BVM Elementary School in Biloxi, St. James School in Gulfport, St. Mary's School in Lemoore, California, and most recently as DRE in St. Alphonsus Parish in Ocean Springs. She was preceded in death by her parents, Peter and Mary Lowney, and her sister, Mary Fitt. Survivors include three brothers, John Lowney, Ray Lowney and his wife, Margaret, and Dick Lowney and his wife, Lil; her brother-in-law, Peter Fitt; several nieces and nephews, and her Mercy Congregation, especially her Mercy Community in Gulfport. A Funeral Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at St. Alphonsus Catholic Church in Ocean Springs on Tuesday, June 26, 2007, at 11 a.m. where friends may visit from 9 a.m. until service time. Sister Eileen will be sent to Ireland where she will be buried in the Convent Cemetery, Nenagh, County Tipperary. The family and sisters would like to extend their gratitude to all those who cared for her during her illness, especially Doctors Compton, Sproles and Pondi, and the loving, caring nurses and staff of the 5th floor of Gulfport Memorial Hospital. They also wish to thank Bishop Rodi, the many priests, deacons and especially the people of St. Alphonsus Parish who visited with her in the hospital. In lieu of flowers the family has requested that donations be made to the St. Vincent de Paul Pharmacy, 681 Division Street, Biloxi, MS 39530. The Howard Avenue Chapel of Bradford-O'Keefe Funeral Homes in Biloxi is in charge of arrangements.