Eileen A. O'Grady

A devoted wife, mother, grandmother, sister, and aunt, Eileen is survived by her five children and seven grandchildren: John (Sandra) O’Grady and son Michael of Dracut, MA; Dennis (Debbie) O’Grady of Mountain Home, ID, son Jacob and step-daughter Cheriee; Kathleen (Roy) Silva of Round Rock, TX and children Kevin and Meghan; Terrance (Carol) O’Grady of Pittsford, NY and children Thomas and Leigh; and Thomas O’Grady (John Stafford) of Provincetown, MA. She is also survived by her loving siblings, brother Dennis (Elizabeth), sister Helen, both of Somerset, sister-in-law Claire of Westport, and many wonderful cousins, nieces and nephews. She is predeceased by her husband of 64 years, John Dolan O’Grady, who died January 23, 2022, her parents Dennis and Katherine Sullivan, and her youngest brother Kenneth Sullivan.

Eileen held a strong passion for learning and was a dedicated teacher. A 1952 graduate of Mt. St. Mary’s Academy and a 1956 graduate of Bridgewater State Teacher’s College, she began her teaching career at the Anchorage School in Middletown, Rhode Island. After moving to Petersham MA in 1960, where John became the resident pro and superintendent at Petersham Country Club, she took a hiatus to raise her five children. Eileen returned to teaching at the Ruggles Lane Elementary School in Barre MA in 1970. She would later teach third grade at Petersham Center School, a position she enjoyed for 25 years until retiring in 1996.

Eileen was a lifelong sports enthusiast who, at different times, played basketball, golf, skiing, and curling. In 1970, she and her teammates represented the Petersham Curling Club at the Women’s National Curling Championship, hosted by The Country Club at Brookline.

Eileen’s constant drive and curiosity throughout her life made her a consummate multitasker long before the word entered our vernacular. A typical day for Eileen would be making breakfast and lunch for her children before a full day of teaching, returning home to prepare an evening meal, attending an adult education course at Athol High School or Mahar Regional, or perhaps watching a Red Sox or Celtics game while sitting by the wood stove knitting an Irish or Icelandic knit sweater. There was almost nothing in which she didn’t take an interest from tole painting to furniture restoration, knitting and gardening, nature walks, ornithology, and travel.

Always adventurous, Eileen thought nothing of packing up her five children in the family station wagon and towing them and a trailer to Canada, Maine, or Cape Cod for family vacations. Along with her mother Katherine Sullivan, sister Helen Sullivan, her daughter, or friends, she visited Ireland, England, Italy, Germany, and several stops in the US. The beach was a favorite place whether it be the beaches of MA and NJ or Fort Meyers Beach, FL where she spent winters after retiring.

In her later years, Eileen enjoyed keeping up with her children and grandchildren and supporting them in their various pursuits. An avid reader herself, her children and grandchildren remember her, in part, for the many books she introduced to them while growing up and for instilling in them her own love of learning.

Above all, Eileen was a person of deep faith. She was a parishioner at St. Peter's Church in Petersham and attended Catholic Mass regularly there, at St. Mary’s Monastery in Petersham, and at Our Lady Immaculate Church in Athol MA. Eileen actively participated throughout her life in these faith communities and drew great strength and tranquility from her Catholic faith. Her faith was evident in everything she did with her family, friends, and neighbors and it guided her through both the joys and trials of her life.

Eileen will be remembered at the Waring Sullivan Home at Rose E. Sullivan, 866 County St., Somerset on Thursday, January 5th, 2023, with Visitation from 8:15 to 9:15 AM followed by a 10:00 AM Mass at St. Patrick’s Church, 306 South St., Somerset. A private burial will take place at St. Mary’s Cemetery, New Bedford.

In lieu of flowers, donations to the Alzheimer’s Association would be appreciated. The family would also like to thank the caring staff at The Residence at Cedar Dell and Catholic Memorial, Fall River MA.