Sister Eileen (formerly Sister Charles Maura) Kersgieter SL died May 11, 2025, at the Loretto Living Center on the grounds of Loretto Motherhouse in Nerinx, Ky. She was 94 and made her Loretto commitment almost exactly 66 years ago. Sr. Eileen was born March 1, 1931, in St. Louis, to Margaret (Slimon) and Charles Paul Kersgieter. She was received into the Sisters of Loretto at the Foot of the Cross May 24, 1959. Sr. Eileen earned a bachelor's degree in education, with a minor in social studies, in 1962 from Webster College (now University), Webster Groves; and a master's in education in 1970 from the University of Missouri-Columbia.

Sr. Eileen first taught at St. Ann School, Arlington, Va., 1962-1964. She then moved to St. Louis, where she taught elementary students at St. Paul the Apostle School, Pine Lawn, 1964-1966, and St. Ann, Normandy, 1966-1968, and then served as principal for the next two decades at St. Pius V School, St. Louis, 1969-1988. Moving to Kentucky, Sr. Eileen served from 1988 to 1999 as the Loretto Motherhouse Service Coordinator, where she oversaw all aspects of Motherhouse life and mission. She said of the experience, "It was a whole different way of living. It was a whole new world – farming, cattle, taking care of buildings and not children." Added Sr. Eileen, "I love the peace of it. The quiet. And yet the 'busy-ness' that goes on there. … It was a very welcoming community, always glad to have people."

Returning to St. Louis, Sr. Eileen worked as a secretary and college counselor in the counseling office at Nerinx Hall High School, Webster Groves, 1999-2011. She also served as co-coordinator of the St. Louis Loretto Center, 2000-2009, and performed Community service from 2009-2017.

Among her other Community roles, Sr. Eileen was a member of the Loretto Executive Committee from 1990-1994 and helped plan the annual Loretto Assembly in 2009. Throughout the years, she was able to combine her love of music with her love of the liturgy as she worked in schools and within the Community. She also loved reading and puzzles of all kinds.

Sr. Eileen moved to Loretto Motherhouse in 2017, where she volunteered as a teacher at the Loretto Child Care Center and carried out a ministry of prayer and presence until her death.

Preceding her in death were her parents and her siblings, Bonnie, Charles and the Rev. Paul Kersgieter. She is survived by many nieces and nephews and extended family. A wake for Sr. Eileen will take place 6:30 p.m. ET Sunday, May 18, with a funeral Mass at 10 a.m. ET, Monday, May 19, both at Loretto Motherhouse. Burial will take place at Our Lady of Sorrows Cemetery on the Motherhouse grounds.

Memorials may be made to the Sisters of Loretto for our mission, c/o Loretto Motherhouse, 515 Nerinx Road, Nerinx, KY 40049 or as an online gift at www.lorettocommunity.org.