Sister Eileen Haugh, 82, a Franciscan Sister of the Congregation of Our Lady of Lourdes, Rochester, died at Assisi Heights on Monday, May 23, 2011.

Mary Eileen Haugh was born to William and Eldora (Ascheman) Haugh on Nov. 3, 1928. She was the fourth of 13 children and grew up on the family farm near Easton. Her early years of education were divided between a country school and Our Lady of Mt. Carmel where she was taught by the Rochester Franciscans. Eileen graduated from Delavan High School in 1945 and entered the Franciscan Sisters in January 1948, receiving the name of Sister Turibia.

Sister Eileen’s career in teaching began after first vows in 1950. She served in parish schools in Chicago, Ill., and Caledonia, Austin, Sleepy Eye and Rochester. She was also principal in Springfield and Adams, and also at Cotter Junior High School in Winona when it was established in 1979.

Following her years in education, Sister Eileen served 14 years as secretary to the president of the Rochester Franciscans. Then followed six years on the staff of Tau Center in Winona until it closed in 2002. Sister Eileen moved back to the Rochester area where she worked with the Communications Department at Assisi Heights until illness forced her retirement at the end of March 2011. She also has written poetry and a number of her works have been published.

Sister Eileen celebrated her Golden Jubilee as a Sister of St. Francis in 2000 and Diamond Jubilee in 2010.

Sister Eileen is survived by her Franciscan Sisters, with whom she shared life for 63 years. Also surviving are her siblings, Maryce (William) Murry, Mankato, Evelyn (Neal) Wallace, Vernon Center, Margaret (Karl) Wombacher, Fort Collins, Colo., Rita Haugh, Winona, Ann (Allan) Rath, Mankato, Catherine (Dr. James) Eiselt, Madelia, LeRoy (Marilyn) Haugh, Arlington, Va., Charles (Eileen) Haugh, Winona, and Howard (Nicole) Haugh, Mankato; and three sisters-in-law Patricia Haugh, Albert Lea, Janet Haugh, St. Paul, and Irma Haugh, Easton. She was preceded in death by her parents and three brothers, Harold, William Jr. and Raymond.

Sister Eileen requested that her body be donated to science.

A memorial Mass will be held on Monday at 11 a.m. in the Chapel of Our Lady of Lourdes, Assisi Heights in Rochester. Friends may call at Assisi Heights for the Vigil Service at 6:30 p.m. Sunday and before the time of the service on Monday.

Memorials are suggested to the Sisters of St. Francis, Office of Benefactor Relations at Assisi Heights, 1001 14th St. N.W. Suite 100, Rochester, MN 55901.