Sr. Eileen Lambert, OSF

Born:                          Ellen Lambert, November 30, 1927, in Ardnaboy Co. Wicklow, Ireland

Died:                           July 21, 2023 at St. Elizabeth Motherhouse, Allegany, NY

Daughter of:              Bernard and Julia Lambert, Ardnaboy, Hacketstown Co., Carlow, Ireland

Sr. Eileen entered the Franciscan Sisters of Allegany on September 8, 1964; was received into the Congregation on July 2, 1965, and professed her final vows on August 28, 1971. She joyfully lived the Mission and Charism of the Franciscan Sisters for over 58 years.

She attended Rathmeque Elementary School in Co. Wicklow, Ireland and graduated from high school in Hacketstown, Co., Carlow.  Prior to entering the Congregation, Sr. Eileen attended the Hollis Street Hospital Nursing Program, Dublin, Ireland, earning her certification as a registered nurse.  She worked as a charge nurse at Sefton General Hospital, Liverpool, England and when coming to the United States, worked at Columbia Medical Center in New York City. 

Upon entering the Congregation, Eileen attended St. Elizabeth Teacher’s College, graduating from St. Bonaventure University, Allegany, NY with a Bachelor of Science in Education and later returned to St. Bonaventure to complete her Master’s Degree in Sacred Science.

Sr. Eileen ministered at St. Elizabeth Hospital, Tampa, FL, as a nursing supervisor, at St. Elizabeth Motherhouse, Allegany, NY and St. Elizabeth Hospital in New York, NY.  She served as Pastoral Minister at St. Vincent Hospital, New York, NY and as assistant local minister at St. Elizabeth Motherhouse, Allegany, NY.

In the height of the AIDS crisis in the 1980’s, Sr. Eileen ministered with AIDS patients and was particularly known for her compassion with family members.

She retired in 2003 and continued to reside with her Sisters at St. Anthony’s Convent, New York, New York before her warm welcome home to St. Elizabeth Motherhouse is 2015.

Sr. Eileen is blessed with a large Irish family.  She is predeceased by her parents, Bernard and Julia Lambert; two sisters: Maura Kirk and Theresa O’Leary; three brothers: Bernard, Michael and John.  She is survived by four brothers: Father Owen Lambert, C.S.Sp., Congregation of the Holy Spirit, Paddy, Hugh and Seamus Lambert; four sisters: Peigi Canavan, Kathleen Tyrell, Breda Brady, Marion Ascani and several nieces and nephews.

A wake service is scheduled for Sunday, August 6, 2023 at 4:00pm in the chapel of St. Elizabeth Motherhouse.  A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Monday, August 7, 2023, at 10:00am in the chapel of St. Elizabeth Motherhouse with Father Owen Lambert presiding.    Burial will follow in St. Bonaventure Cemetery.

Arrangements are under the direction of Letro-McIntosh-Spink Funeral Home, Inc. 646 East State Street, Olean, New York.  For condolences, please visit www.letromcintoshspinkfuneralhome.com.