IN LOVING MEMORY OF
Eileen O’Rourke It is with great sadness and heavy hearts that we share the devastating news that Ms. Eileen O'Rourke, beloved teacher, coach, friend and mentor to countless young women, passed away on October 31, 2021. A memorial service will be hosted at the Academy on March 12, 2022 where we can mourn this tremendous loss to our community and honor her 46 years of service across many generations of SEAsters. We’re honored to share some of the countless tributes to Ms. O’Rourke, submitted by alumnae and former colleagues.
Ms. O'Rourke was one of the good ones! She gave us her all... even rides to games, rides home. She was FUN! And she was SO young. How is it possible that she was only 7 years older than us? I loved her. I'm so grateful for Ms. O'Rourke in my life. Here's a picture of her with me and Viola Deluca at our 2001 class reunion. She, George Pantos and Connie McKenna joined our class in the SEA library. We were blessed with magnificent teachers! Rest in Peace, Ms. O'Rourke. –Kathleen Courtney, ‘75 Ms. O'Rourke made quite an impact on me. Her steady manner, wise words and consistent, fair discipline gave me confidence on the basketball court, volleyball court and in the classroom. Her teaching style successfully engaged us in lessons. I am so grateful we were able to connect again at the Academy for her retirement celebration a few years ago. Her tragic death is quite a loss for her family, friends and the Academy. –Cathy Waldron Balto, ‘80 14
LEGACY Magazine | WINTER 2022
Ms. O’Rourke was my teacher, coach and mentor. Some of my favorite memories centered around her driving our sports teams to away games in the blue van, singing our hearts out to ‘80s tunes & her rolling her eyes & telling us to make other career choices, or letting us talk her into stops at Dunkin Donuts after a match. Ms. O’Rourke unintentionally gave me my nickname that has stuck with my friends to this day! We were out on the soccer field practicing & I was doing something wrong (likely off-sides) and she yelled at me across the field, “Fox!” We all stopped in our tracks in confusion. My last name was “Wolfe,” but “Patti Fox” instead of “Tricia Wolfe” was born! –Tricia Wolfe Anton, ‘87 Ms. O’Rourke led by example. Watching her dedicate her life to teaching was admirable. She loved athletics and was always somewhere in the crowd watching your game. I was in her class the morning of 9/11, and I have her to thank for making me feel safe. She never shielded us from the truth. She was always honest and taught us how to stay strong through the tough moments. While in graduate school, Ms. O’Rourke hired me as the lacrosse coach where she again guided me in the right direction, giving me the confidence to stay in my new career path. You will never meet a former student who does not have the utmost respect for her. She will be missed. –Kelly Sullivan, ‘04
Ms. O’Rourke was not only an amazing coach but an excellent teacher as well! I’ll never forget the day Marion Gallo and I thought it would be funny to jump out of the classroom window, during class when Ms. O’Rourke was not looking. Needless to say, that was not one of my brighter ideas in high school. She was a great basketball and softball coach. She was tough, fair and really pushed us to be the best athletes we could. She did not put up with nonsense and for that discipline I am very grateful. She will always be remembered with fondness, love and laughter. –Maureen Duggan Cuff, ‘81
The class of 1976 often invited Ms. O'Rourke to their gatherings. She was a huge presence at SEA and influenced so many of us. Boarding would not have been the same with another prefect. –Elizabeth Holzback, ‘76
