Sr Eileen Keating, Presentation Sisters Provincial, RIP

Source: Presentation Sisters

The death has occurred of Sister Eileen Keating PBVM, who was Provincial of the Presentation Sisters in England and the Holy Land.

Sr Eileen died peacefully at home in Matlock Convent on 11 September 2024, following a long illness bravely borne, surrounded by her wide family circle of Presentation Sisters, her brother, sisters, Ruta and other members of the Holy Family Community, Sheffield, who were close to her heart. Although she had been ill, her death came quickly in the end and her community and many friends are still in shock.

Eileen who was born in Cahersiveen, Co Kerry, joined the Presentation Sisters in 1967. She entered in Tralee and has ministered in New Zealand, Latin America, Ireland and for the past 39 years in England, serving as the Provincial Leader for the past 10 years.

From 1990 to 2014, Sr Eileen served as the Canonical Assistant in Holy Family Church in Sheffield. During her time there, Sr Eileen worked tirelessly on behalf of refugees and asylum seekers, and the Parish became a meeting place for a number of African communities including Eritreans, Ethiopians, Sudanese and Zimbabweans. The outpouring of grief and loss expressed by the communities are a testament to her welcoming and generous heart which knew no bounds.

Funeral Arrangements

Eileen will be received into the Convent Chapel, Matlock on Saturday 28 September at 4pm.

She will remain in the Chapel overnight and the Holy Family Community, Sheffield, who have been so much part of her life will keep vigil with her and you are welcome to join in this.

Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Sunday 29 September at 10am in Matlock Chapel.

From Matlock, Eileen will be taken back to her birthplace in Ireland.

Funeral Mass will be celebrated at the Daniel O'Connell Memorial Church in Cahersiveen on Wednesday 2 October at 11am followed by burial in the Holy Cross cemetery.

The Mass in both Matlock and Cahersiveen will be livestreamed.