Sister Eileen Farley died October 25, 2009, at Cloud County Health Center in Concordia, KS. She was 77 years old and a Sister of St. Joseph for 56 years. She was born in Fowler, KS on September 23, 1932 to James and Anna Murphy Farley, the eighth of nine children, and was baptized Eileen Agnes. She entered the Sisters of St. Joseph, Concordia, KS on September 7, 1952. On March 18, 1953, Eileen received the habit of the Sisters of St. Joseph and was given the name Sister Mary Sheila. Later she returned to her baptismal name, Eileen. She pronounced first vows on March 19, 1954 and final vows on March 19, 1957.

Sister Eileen received a B.A. in English from Marymount College in Salina and taught in grade schools staffed by the Sisters of St. Joseph in Salina, Park, Damar, and Abilene, Kansas. Sister Eileen's ministries also included serving as a nurse aide, manager of a program for women with disabilities, a volunteer at Mt. Joseph Senior Village and a Hospice volunteer. Sister Eileen served on numerous Sisters of St. Joseph committees dedicated to Justice and Peace. She was a member of Pax Christi, Salina, KS. In 1997, she retired to Nazareth Motherhouse where she continued volunteer work in the Concordia area.
Sister Eileen was preceded in death by her parents, four brothers and two sisters. She is survived by her sister Betty Wygant of Grand Junction, CO, her sister-in-law Mary Farley of Hutchinson, KS, and many nieces and nephews. A Bible Vigil Service will be (was) held Wednesday October 28, 2009 at 7:00 p.m. in the Nazareth Motherhouse Chapel, with Sister Mary Fran Simons as the eulogist. The Mass of Christian Burial will be (was) Thursday, October 29 at 10:30 a.m. in the Motherhouse Chapel, with Rev. Jack Schlaf presiding. The burial will be in the Nazareth Motherhouse Cemetery. Chaput-Buoy Mortuary, 325 W. 6 ^th St., Concordia, KS is in charge of arrangements. Memorials for Sister Eileen Farley may be given to the Sisters of St. Joseph Health Care/ Retirement Fund or the apostolic works of the Sisters; P.O Box 279, Concordia, KS 66901.