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Eileen Morrissey Obituary
Feb 5, 1921 - Apr 15, 2016
Eileen C. Morrissey, daughter of the late Katherine (Riordan) and Patrick Colligan (NYPD), grew up in NYC's Greenwich Village Irish-American community centered on St. Joseph's Church. Filled with optimism, grace and humor, she lived fully, engaged with ideas, family and friends and imbued with faith. Graduating high school at 16, she earned her BA at Manhattanville College, and LLB at Fordham Law School, where she was editor-in-chief of the Fordham Law Review. She practiced law, in NYC, at Hawkins, Delafield & Wood and at Milbank, Tweed; in Washington, D.C., at Paul, Weiss. After her marriage to John Carroll Morrissey, she moved to San Francisco, where they raised a family of 8 children. She returned to law, earning her LLM at Golden Gate University Law School.Eileen's counsel, mentoring and engaged leadership benefited numerous San Francisco charities, organizations and clubs, including St. Elizabeth's Infant Hospital Auxiliary, The Home Forum, Holy Family Day Home, SF Girl Scout Council, Notre Dame des Victoires Mother's Guild, Metropolitan, Century and Town & Country Clubs and the Resident's Council at the SF Towers.
Her ever widening circle of friends remember her warm smile, brilliant mind, and graciousness. Unafraid to confront life's difficult issues, Eileen extended her empathy to others throughout her life. Having a charming, well-educated lawyer with a NY disposition in your corner was always comforting. Ready with hugs, calls, Instagram messages, and texts, she was forever connected to her children and grandchildren, who relied on her fierce and loyal love, interest and support. She forged an indelible, sustaining and loving bond with John over their 66 years of devoted marriage. She is deeply missed.
Survived by her husband; sister Kathleen Molloy of Larchmont, NY; children, Jay Edward (Marilyn), Ellen Jenkins (James), Katherine, John (Colleen), Patricia, Richard (Anne), Brian, and Peter (Anne) Morrissey; and nine grandchildren. Predeceased by her brother, Rev. Timothy Colligan.
A visitation will be on Wed, April 20th from 4pm to 6pm at Halsted N. Gray, 1123 Sutter St. A rosary will be held on Wed April 20th at 7:30pm and a funeral mass on Thurs, April 21st at 10am, both at St. Dominic's (Bush and Steiner Sts). Private Internment. Donations, in lieu of flowers, to St. Anthony Foundation or Holy Family Day Home.
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Memories and Condolences
for Eileen Morrissey
6 Entries
Judith Garvey
April 11, 2024
Mrs. Morrissey will never be forgotten. I remember the annual Christmas caroling Jackson Street, gathering for lunch at an enormous table and going around the table with each child giving a report on current events and her presiding over Girl Scout meetings in the church hall. She was a formidable leader. I wish she was still with us. I enjoyed her yearly Christmas letters that she put so much effort in to writing. No doubt she is enjoying her reward in heaven.
judith Garvey
April 11, 2021
Remembering Mrs. Morrissey on the five year anniversary of her birthday into heaven. Cheers to you! We miss you and you continue to be loved.
May 17, 2016
All our thoughts, prayers and best memories from France, we will miss you Eileen!Colette, Eric and Christine
Kim Lowry
April 22, 2016
All of my condolences, much love and support to the entire Morrissey family. I loved, and will miss, her warmth, humor, and tremendously open arms.
Marguerite Broadwell
April 20, 2016
I am holding your family in my thoughts and prayers with the loss of such a beautiful, strong, determined, and compassionate woman/mother. I know her only by her daughter, Trish, who has so many of her great qualities. The tribute to her in the write up is exceptional; I'm sure she felt the lives of her children & grandchildren were blessings beyond measure. May peace be with you...
Judith Garvey
April 19, 2016
My sympathy to all of the family. Mrs. Morrissey was filled with the love of God and exceptional goodness. As my Girl Scout leader, she taught me to live a life of goodness and inspired me to become a lawyer. She was very generous. She was the best mom. I will miss the Christmas newsletters! Times with her and her family are forever imprinted in my mind and in my heart. I thank God for creating Mrs. Morrissey. If my parents were here they would echo my remarks.
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