Eileen Morris Locher passed away on November 22, 2024, at the age of 97. She grew up in Flushing, NY with her parents Col. Edward and Bess Morris and her sister Betty. She attended St. Andrews Elementary School in Flushing and the Dominican Academy. After relocating with her family to Washington D.C. she graduated from Sacred Heart Academy.
Eileen is a graduate of Marymount College in Tarrytown, N.Y. It was there that she was introduced to Richard Locher, the love of her life, by her friends Jane and Ted Van Erk. They were married on October 12, 1950. They first lived in Fresh Meadows, Queens, until they moved to Manhasset in 1956. Eileen was an active member of St. Mary’s Parish there. She was an Ecumenical Minister, President of the Rosary Society, and Vice-President of the Parent-Teacher Council. She also enjoyed volunteering at St Francis Hospital. Eileen and Dick lived in Manhasset for 34 years. During that time they developed wonderful friendships that would last a lifetime.
In 1990, they retired to Heritage Village in Southbury, CT, joining several of their Manhasset friends. Eileen became an active member of Sacred Heart Church in Southbury, particularly after losing her beloved Dick in 2011. She was a member of Extend-a-Hand, an Ecumenical Minister and a lector at Mass. Eileen volunteered on Mondays at the St. Vincent De Paul Soup Kitchen in Waterbury. She looked forward to making this trip every week with some special friends. Eileen also loved playing bridge with some of her old Manhasset friends, as well as some lovely new friends she had made in the village.
Eileen loved reading, cooking, and entertaining. The three main pillars of her life were faith, family, and friends. She had a true gift for making everyone feel welcome in her home. She leaves behind many family and friends who will miss her dearly. Those most importantly are her five children, Maryellen, Brady, Peter, Betsy, Edward and their spouses, her eleven grandchildren, and eleven great-grandchildren. She was also the last living member of the family from her generation and the matriarch for her O’Connor nephews and nieces, grand nephews and nieces, and great-grand nephews and nieces. All of these affectionately called her EiEi.
Eileen will live on in our memories and the love she left behind in our hearts. We know that there will be a large group of family and friends waiting to welcome her into God’s heavenly kingdom. We can all imagine the music, laughter and Old Fashions that will be shared with joy upon her arrival.
May God hold her in the palm of His hand!
Visitation will be at McGrath’s Funeral Home in Bronxville, NY on December 3, 2024 from 3 – 7pm.
The funeral Mass will be at St. Joseph’s Church in Bronxville, NY on December 4, 2024 at 10:45am.
Mom loved the miracles done through the Smile Train program. A donation made to them in her honor would make her smile.
Condolence(1)-
Sally Williams says
November 25, 2024 at 4:39 pmI am deeply saddened by Eileen’s passing but know that her faith sustained her and opened a door to heaven welcoming her. Ever a bright light, her lovely smile will be missed by all who knew her. Maryellen and Jeff, you took such beautiful care of her in these last years. She is smiling down upon you.