A Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated March 30 in Immaculate Conception Chapel of Mount St. Mary, Watchung, for Mercy Sister Eileen Lowden, who died March 26. She was 77.

Daughter of the late Gordon and Helen Lowden, Sister Eileen was born in Burlington. She attended St. Paul School, Burlington, and Cathedral High School, Trenton. Both schools were staffed by the Sisters of Mercy.

Sister Eileen entered the Sisters of Mercy and graduated from Georgian Court College (now University), Lakewood, where she earned a bachelor’s degree in elementary education and a master’s degree in education. 

Sister Eileen served as a teacher and principal in Catholic schools in the Dioceses of Metuchen, Trenton and Camden and was also assistant superintendent of schools and superintendent of Education Services in the Camden Diocese.

Sister Eileen joined the leadership team of the Sisters of Mercy of New Jersey and served in that role for five years. One of the highlights of her tenure was traveling to El Salvador on the 25th anniversary of the deaths of the four churchwomen and witnessing the poverty of the people and the suffering that the country endured.

Sister Eileen is survived by her three brothers and a sister as well as many nieces and nephews and friends from her religious community. 

Burial was in Holy Redeemer Cemetery, South Plainfield.

Memorial donations may be made to the Sisters of Mercy 1645 US Highway 22 West, Watchung, N.J. 07069.