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

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

My finest memory and a reminder that while she was tough as nails, she was also a proud part of the SEA athletic family. I was racing for the swim team and the relay was a little behind our arch rival at the time Mountain Lakes ...I got up on the block and I looked over and she was the last person I saw before I dove in and she gave me one of those looks like "You got this" and a quick thumbs up, when I touched at the wall and we beat Mountain Lakes, I turned and looked at my coach and then at Ms. O'Rourke and I swear at that moment she had tears of pride in her eyes! I had never seen her be emotional. I will never forget that moment. A special woman has been lost. She taught us all so many things. Sometimes it was tough love, but it was all love! -Kara Lennon Muscillo, ‘94

Eileen O'Rourke was a truly beautiful woman. She helped form me (and many many other young women) into strong, confident women. Every memory I have of her is special and makes me smile. Beyond being an incredibly engaging and brilliant teacher, she was compassionate, openminded, and supportive of all our efforts, mistakes, and successes. She taught us how to look at both sides of any argument and make informed decisions. She was gifted at making us feel heard and important. I will always remember our class trips to NYC and how much fun she made them for us. Thank you, Ms. O'Rourke, for all that you gave us. You will live in my heart forever. -Karen Cesta Hitzeman, ‘81

Ms. O’Rourke was an ever present influence in the Emmer household from 1979-1987 as she was a mentor, teacher and coach to me and my three sisters. I was thrilled to find her still at the Academy when I returned to coach there in 2014. She taught us to be strong, independent women and never gave up on us. She taught and coached with an iron fist, and we never doubted she loved every one of us. If the young ladies I coach now have half of the love and respect for me that I had for O’Rourke, my heart will be full. May she Rest In Peace knowing all the lives she has touched in such a positive way. -Anna Emmer Russo, ‘87

I had the privilege of teaching physical education in the 80’s at AOSE. Eileen was one of the first to show me the ropes and was a mentor. My daughter Kara Lennon would later become an AOSE student. It was one of the best experiences for our family. The mother daughter tea, school trips abroad and, of course, the beautiful graduation. Again Eileen and I consulted on things to help my daughter enjoy her life at school. I am so happy to have known her, and that Kara had the privilege of being her student. Rest well, my friend. –Karen Lennon Graaeber Former Physical Education Teacher

I saw Ms. O’Rourke last 4 years ago when my daughter did her visit day at SEA - I was so happy to see a familiar face and introduce Lindsey to this Legend at SEA. She said it was her last year and I am so grateful she saw me brag about her in front of my daughter. She was hard but damn great at her job. She loved the Academy and her students and was absolutely one of my favorite teachers. She will be missed by this alumna! RIP Ms. O'Rourke 💕-Julie McGee Verbaro, ‘90

Ms. O'Rourke was the first high school teacher who told me I could do anything I set my mind to, and truly believed it. "Just be the best you can be Fraser" she would say to me. "You can do anything, and if you're good at it no one will tell you that you can't". She was tough but in the best way possible, holding you accountable and not taking any excuses. I want to send you one more email or one more Christmas card to tell you what I'm up to now. To tell you that I'm working my first marathon this weekend as the start operation lead. To hear back "that's my girl.” To tell you I am still trying to be the best - Because you taught me I could be. -Elle Rose Fraser, ‘12

You impacted our lives in countless ways and taught us lessons that would last a lifetime. Thank you for all you did for us, you were truly loved. -Elizabeth Hausler Bullock, ‘03

The Eileen O’Rourke Scholarship Fund has raised nearly $8,000 in memory of her decades of service to countless young women at the Academy. Your contribution will honor Ms. O’Rourke’s memory and help continue her legacy for future generations LEGACY of SEAsters.

Magazine | WINTER 2022