ALBANY — Eileen J. Callahan was a dedicated school teacher and a devout Catholic. She served for many years as president of Thompsons Lake Improvement Association.

“Eileen will be remembered as interesting and independent, strong in will and in opinion,” her family wrote in a tribute. “She taught many hundreds of children and will fondly be remembered as ‘Miss Callahan.’”

She died peacefully on Thursday, May 2, 2019, at the Riverside Center for Rehabilitation and Nursing in Castleton, New York. She was 74.

Miss Callahan was born on Feb. 4, 1945 and spent her childhood, teen, and young-adult years in Newtonville, New York. She was the daughter and eldest child of Edwin J. Callahan and Helen Palmer Callahan, of Newtonville; Thompsons Lake; and Boynton Beach, Florida.

She graduated from Shaker High School in 1963 and from Nazareth College of Kentucky in 1967.

Throughout her adult life, she was a dedicated elementary-school teacher having taught in the Stillwater Central School District and the Albany Roman Catholic Diocese. Miss Callahan taught fifth grade at St. Casimir’s School in Albany, for many years.

Upon retiring from teaching, she worked in retail for Lord and Taylor. Through most of her life, she was a seasonal resident of Thompsons Lake and resided there full-time for a period of years.

She was a devout Catholic and communicant of Mater Christi Parish in Albany.

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Eileen J. Callahan is survived by her brother, William K. Callahan, and his wife, Gail, of Thompsons Lake, East Berne; by her nephew, Ryan M. Finegan, and his wife, Shannon; and by her grandniece, Morgan D. Finegan of Watervliet.

“Many thanks to the staff of the Riverside Center for Rehabilitation and Nursing for all of their efforts to sustain Eileen’s life,” her family wrote. “A special to her friends and neighbors at Holy Wisdom Apartments in Albany for their many kindnesses.”

Funeral and burial services will be held privately. She will be buried in the family plot at Thompsons Lake Cemetery.

Memorial contributions may be made to Helderberg Ambulance Squad, Post Office Box 54, East Berne, NY 12059.