Obituary of Sr. Eileen Crosby CSJ

Latham-Sister Eileen Crosby, CSJ (Sister M. Josepha), 93, died Saturday, September 21, 2013, at St. Joseph's Provincial House, Latham, NY. Sister Eileen had been a Sister of St. Joseph of Carondelet for the past 75 years. Eileen Rita Crosby was born May 22, 1920, in Syracuse, NY, daughter of the late Joseph and Florence McArdell Crosby. After graduating from St. John the Baptist Academy in Syracuse, Sister Eileen entered the novitiate of the Sisters of St. Joseph on March 19, 1938. She received a bachelor's degree in music from The College of Saint Rose and a master's degree in music education from the Catholic University of America. In addition, Sister Eileen received certification in clinical pastoral education (CPE) from the National Association of Catholic Chaplains after studying at Georgetown Hospital in Washington, DC; Hartford Hospital in Hartford, CT; and Lourdes Hospital in Binghamton, NY. She taught piano and music in schools of the Albany and Syracuse Dioceses, including St. Patrick's School and St. Paul's School, Binghamton; St. Anthony's School, Syracuse; St. Mary's School, Little Falls; Cathedral Academy, Albany; and St. Peter's School, Rome. In addition, Sister Eileen served as a parish minister at Holy Family Parish, Fulton; as a CCD coordinator in St. Patrick's Parish, Binghamton; and as a chaplain in Wilson Memorial Hospital, Johnson City; Binghamton General Hospital; and Clarks Summit Hospital in Clarks Summit, PA. Since 2003, Sister Eileen has been living at St. Joseph's Provincial House and volunteering in a host of activities. Sister Eileen was an excellent teacher of music whose primary goal was to instill in her students a lifelong love of music and who viewed music appreciation as a way to make a person's spirit more beautiful. Gifted with a gentle nature and a healthy sense of humility, Sister Eileen was a pastoral-care chaplain who brought hope through compassionate listening and encouragement through a warm, caring heart. A loving family member, a devoted Sister of St. Joseph and a loyal friend, Sister Eileen leaves us a legacy of faith, generosity and selfless service, and her presence will be dearly missed. Sister Eileen is survived by her beloved sister, Patricia Crosby of Syracuse; her nieces and nephews and their families; many friends; and the Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet. In addition to her parents, she was predeceased by her brothers, Joseph Crosby and William Crosby; by her sisters, Marie Delaney and Bernice Shirley; and by many friends in the Sisters of St. Joseph. Sister Eileen's funeral Liturgy will be celebrated on Thursday, September 26, at 10:30 a.m. in the chapel of St. Joseph's Provincial House, Latham. Interment will be in Our Lady Queen of Virgins Cemetery on the Provincial House grounds. Calling hours will be held at the Provincial House on Wednesday, September 25 from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. with a prayer service at 7:00 p.m. Contributions in Sister Eileen's memory may be made to the Development Office of the Sisters of St. Joseph, 385 Watervliet-Shaker Road, Latham, NY 12110. For information or to light a memory candle for the family visit www.dufresneandcavanaugh.com