Sister Eileen Richard Leavy, OP, of the Dominican Sisters, Sparkill, New York, died on October 31, 2026, at Westchester Medical Center. She was 85 years old.
Born in the Bronx, NY, on September 4, 1941, along with her twin Nancy, Joan Marie was the daughter of William and Eileen O’Mahoney Leavy. She entered the DominicanCongregation of Our Lady of the Rosary on September 8, 1959, and received the religious name of Sister Eileen Richard. She professed first vows in 1961 and final vows in 1966. Sister Eileen Richard earned a BS in Science from St.Thomas Aquinas College,Sparkill, NY, in 1964, and an MS in Science from Villanova University, Pennsylvania, in1975.
Sister Eileen Richard’s ministry of education included: St. Agnes Home and School,Sparkill, NY (1961-1963); St. Ann School, Bronx, NY (1963-1968); St. Helena School,Bronx, NY (1968-1969); and her Alma Mater, Aquinas High School, Bronx,NY, for almost 50 years (1969-2016).She was inducted into the St.Thomas Aquinas College Hall of Fame in 2014. Sister Eileen Richard inspired countless young women and empowered young Women at Aquinas High School to achieve excellence in entering college.She was moderator of the Pep Squad and Cheerleaders and was loved by the students who nicknamed her “Speedy.”
Sister Eileen Richard was predeceased by her parents, William and Eileen O’Mahoney Leavy, and her twin sister, Nancy Brannigan; she is survived by her sister, Eileen Fortis,beloved nieces and nephews, Dominican Sisters, Associates, friends, colleagues,generations of Aquinas High School alumnae, and the seniors of Thorpe Senior Center.
Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at the Our Lady of the Rosary Chapel, Sparkill, NY on Thursday, November 5, 2026, at 11:00AM. Visitation is Thursday November 5, 2026 from 9:30 to 10:30AM at Dominican Convent,175 Route 340,Sparkill, NY. Mass will be celebrated at 11:00AM. Interment will be in St. Agnes Cemetery. Arrangements are by Higgins Funeral Home.
In lieu of flowers, please send donations to Dominican Sisters at the above address, attention – Sr. Irene Ellis,Prioress.
Funeral Mass 11:00AM: https://vimeo.com/event/6328961
