Eileen Duffy Callahan, of Baldwinsville, formerly of Cazenovia, passed away on Sept. 25, 2020, in Syracuse.
Born in 1934 in Geneva, N.Y., and raised in Jordan and Auburn, Eileen was the daughter of the late William J. Duffy and Viola (Barrett). She was a graduate of Auburn High School and St. Mary’s Hospital School of Nursing in Rochester.
Eileen married Paul Callahan of East Syracuse in 1956 and the couple drove to Los Angeles on their honeymoon, where they settled for two years and where Eileen became head obstetrics nurse at St. Vincent’s Hospital. Following their return to Central New York, the family settled in Cazenovia, where Eileen served for many years as school nurse at Burton Street Elementary School.
Eileen was an active member of St. James Church, the Fresh Air Fund, the Model A Ford Club and other groups, when she was not attending family events. An avid learner and reader, she devoured books – especially mysteries – at breathtaking speeds, and as an adult took Spanish, guitar and tennis lessons. She will be missed by many for her strength of character and sense of humor.
Eileen was predeceased by her parents, her husband Paul, her son Brendan, and two sisters, Sharon (Schaffer) and Patricia (Regan). Survivors include daughters, Kelly (Rick) Mosher of Baldwinsville and Megan of Portland, Oregon, and son, Kevin (John Sims) of Los Angeles. She is also survived by her siblings Mary (Robert) Enge, Kathleen (Luke) Rybarczyck and James (Kay) Duffy.
Due to the pandemic, an in-person service will be scheduled next year.
Donations can be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital at stjude.org or Cazenovia Public Library at cazenoviapubliclibrary.org or Wanderers’ Rest Humane Association at wanderersrest.org. To leave a special message for the family, please visit newcomersyracuse.com.
