October 31, 1920 - February 14, 2010

At the age of 89, in the 71st year of her Religious Profession, Sister Eileen Huckestein slipped away peacefully at Saint Benedict Monastery the morning of February 14, 2010.

Angela Marie Huckestein was the only girl born to Norman and Helen Weis Huckestein. Her mother died at childbirth and Angela was raised by her father and step-mother, Estelle McDermott Studer. In July of 1937, she entered religious life with the Benedictine Sisters of Pittsburgh. The following July, she became a novice and was named Sister M. Eileen. She made her First Profession on July 11, 1939, and her Final Profession on July 11, 1942.

From 1939-2000, Sister Eileen ministered in Catholic Schools in the Pittsburgh and Greensburg Dioceses as teacher, principal and librarian. Her gentle, kind, helpful nature and love of doing research made her an asset in the Saint Benedict Academy and North Catholic libraries. She was respected by her peers and loved by her students. Her library skills came in handy when, for a short time, she worked in the Benedictine archives.

Intelligent, capable, playful and determined, with a winning smile, a bright wit and a teasing nature, Sister Eileen was a nurturer who loved to care for people. She became a special companion to both Sister Benigna and Sister Bernice when they began having health problems. Weekly she looked for articles in magazines and newspapers to send to friends. She also loved animals, both real and stuffed. Failing health did not keep her confined as she daily walked miles through the monastery halls on missions only she knew until the last weeks when her diminishment kept her confined to the infirmary. She lived with faith and appreciation for all the people did for her.

Sister Eileen is survived by one brother, Norman, and his wife, Jane; Mrs. Myrna Studer, wife of her step-brother Bill; a nephew, John Huckestein and cousins: Gerald Moeller, Pat and Sue Huckestein and Edward Hierholzer. She was preceded in death by parents, stepmother, a brother and a step-brother.

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