O’Reilly, Evelyn Marie – Fred H. McGrath & Son, Inc.

Evelyn Marie O’Reilly of Yonkers, NY died peacefully at her home on April 4, 2020 of heart disease. She was born in New York City on July 20, 1931 to Michael and Delia Russell and predeceased by her brother, Christopher and cousin/adopted brother, Richard Kitchnet.

When she was an infant, her family moved to Tyrrellspass , Ireland, to be closer to their family. Evelyn received most of her education in Ireland but completed high school at Cathedral High in NYC after her family returned to USA. Due to hardships in her family, Evelyn needed to put off becoming a nurse like she always dreamed she would.

Evelyn married her sweetheart, Joseph O’Reilly, on April 16, 1955, and had three children: her son, Michael (Catherine) of Carmel and daughters, Anne Marie Trubinski (John) of Bethel, CT and Sharon Naum (Chris) of North Haledon, NJ.

Once her children were in grammar school, she started her educational journey with her husband’s support and encouragement. She graduated from St Joseph School of Nursing with an LPN, completed her RN and ADN at Bronx Community College, and BSN at Pace University. During this time she was a nurse at St Joseph’s Hospital in Yonkers and Lawrence Hospital in Bronxville. Eventually she earned a MSN, M.Ed and Doctorate in Nursing from Columbia University while being an amazing Mom to her three children.

She went on to teach and empower many nursing students at Bronx Community College, Elizabeth Seton College, Mount Vernon School of Nursing and Concordia College. She certainly taught her children and students that barriers in life should not stop you from accomplishing goals.

She loved many things in life including her dogs, traveling, writing poems, writing articles for numerous nursing journals as well as publishing a book in 1997, “Decoding the Stereotypes About Aging.” She always enjoyed spending as much time with her family as possible and a glass of wine to celebrate life. And everyone who knew her counted on her for her stock market recommendations.

She will be greatly missed but never forgotten by her eight grandchildren: Kerry Briggs (Joe), Danielle Valenti (Nick), Michelle O’Reilly, Katie Trubinski, Julianne O’Reilly, Laura O’Reilly, Alex Naum and Joe Naum; her great grandson, Joseph, as well as several nieces, nephews, cousins, friends and coworkers that are very close to her heart.

A celebration of her life will be held at a later date due to the current health crisis. We ask in lieu of flowers or other condolences, you please make a donation to Best Friends Animal Society or Fisher Center for Alzheimer’s Research Foundation in memory of Evelyn M. O’Reilly. From the bottom of our hearts, we thank everyone, for the ongoing love and support.

Condolences(10)

Áine Lutes says
April 6, 2020 at 12:25 pm

Rest In Peace Dear Evelyn with your sweet Joe. May God grant your family peace in their mourning and may they be warmed by the many wonderful memories you have given them. God Bless
Dr. Priscilla Sagar says
April 6, 2020 at 3:30 pm

Dr. Evelyn O’Reilly, we lost an excellent, caring, compassionate educator, nurse, and friend!

May God grant you eternal peace and rest alongside your beloved Joe.

May your family’s grief be eased by our fervent thoughts and prayers. God bless!
Margaret Piacente School of Nursing Secretary 1968-2001 says
April 6, 2020 at 4:25 pm

I was truly blessed to have you as a loyal friend. As a faculty member, you were of supreme worth not only to the School of Nursing but also to the students. You were a person free of prejudice and you never would allow anybody to improperly influence you. I never heard you say an unkind word about anybody. You were loyal, dedicated, compassionate and your character was stronger than a fortress of stone. You were ethical and possessed intellectual, moral and spiritual perfection.

I marveled at the students’ evaluation of you. Year after year, they tallied “excellence.” As a nurse, you eased human suffering, healed adversity, affliction, sorrow, misfortune and you were totally dedicated to the profession of nursing.

I shall miss calling you on the telephone and seeing you in person. I will always remember you on St. Patrick’s Day and tears will come to my eyes when I hear the song, “Oh, Danny Boy.”

Rest in peace dear friend. I know the Angels and Joe are standing by the Gates of Heaven to welcome you home. I feel honored to have been your friend for so many years.
Patricia Horner says
April 6, 2020 at 7:18 pm

My sincere sympathy to Evelyn’s family. Evelyn was a remarkable woman, achieving her goals , rising to the top of her nursing profession while nuturing her family, friends and beloved students. May God welcome her into Heaven.
Drew Sagar MS, RN,, PMHNP-C- says
April 6, 2020 at 8:21 pm

Evelyn will be remembered as a guide and support by her former students who were so uncertain back when…. Many nurses who are now tried and tested, hopefully and hopefully worthy to say “Mrs O’Reilly taught us that” ( especially those med calculations ) Things I passed onto my students .
May The good Lord Ease the grief that your loved ones Feel ,& console them with the thought that there are many who remember
So ” Happy Trails to you & Joe as you ride into the Sunset”
Bob kichnet says
April 6, 2020 at 9:02 pm

Evelyn, I will always remember your beauty inside and out. Joe was such a sweet guy. You were the perfect couple: sweet and tender together. Now you are together with gramma Russell, Chris and my dad now. We miss and love you, Bob Kichnet
Mary Ellen Dyer says
April 6, 2020 at 11:08 pm

Dr. Evelyn O’Reilly was an excellent caring educator and nurse. May she rest in peace. My
sincere condolences to the family.
Mark Russell says
April 7, 2020 at 1:13 pm

My Dear Aunt Evelyn, It is taking some time to accept that you have passed on to eternal peace and God’s heavenly place. You will be missed as a power support, guidance and love to me always. I will think of you often, as I always do with prayers and happy thoughts.
Love,
Your nephew Mark..
Jean Marie Pizzuti- Herrschaft says
April 7, 2020 at 1:20 pm

R.I.P Dr. O’Reilly. Peace to your family. You were one of my first nursing instructors. I will never forget all you taught me and the kindness you have always shown. My sincere condolences to your family. With Love Jean Marie Pizzuti -Herrschaft
Carol Lynch says
April 7, 2020 at 6:34 pm

My heartfelt sympathy to Evelyn’s family. May you find special comfort in God’s love and the cherished memories you hold deep in your heart. She was very special to all those who knew her as a friend.. That gift of friendship I will always cherish. You will be in my thoughts and prayers.

“May the Road Rise up to Meet You”

May the road rise up to meet you.
May the wind be always at your back.
May the sun shine warm upon your face;
the rains fall soft upon your fields and until we meet again,
may God hold you in the palm of His hand.

O’Reilly, Evelyn Marie July 20, 1931 - April 4, 2020

Condolences(10)

Áine Lutes says

Dr. Priscilla Sagar says

Margaret Piacente School of Nursing Secretary 1968-2001 says

Patricia Horner says

Drew Sagar MS, RN,, PMHNP-C- says

Bob kichnet says

Mary Ellen Dyer says

Mark Russell says

Jean Marie Pizzuti- Herrschaft says

Carol Lynch says

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