Remembrance of the Life of Eileen Wirtz CoL

Loretto Co-member Eileen Loretto Wirtz passed away peacefully on June 1, 2021, in Overland Park, Kan.  In the 14^th  year of her Loretto commitment, she was capping a lifetime as a high school student, college graduate, teaching colleague, and parent with the Sisters of Loretto. She attended high school at Loretto Academy in Kansas City, Mo., and earned her teaching degree at Webster University in St. Louis. After she graduated from Webster, she taught English at Loretto Academy and made many friends among her students.

Eileen was 94 years old. She was born on April 14, 1927, to Robert and Frances Feeney. She shared many stories over the years of what it was like to grow up during the Depression with her two brothers, John R. and Ed, and her sister Ginny. It is a happy thought to think of this family reunion in heaven. Eileen was a lifelong member of St. Francis Xavier Parish in Kansas City, Mo., attending grade school, church and making many friends.

In 1951, Eileen married Vic Wirtz, and they had eight children of whom she was very proud: Pat (Mary Maasen), Steve (Maureen Aylward), Carol Ann (Mike Hilboldt)–who was also a Loretto graduate, Bob, David, Jim (Rachel Madrigal), Charlie (Cate Bridenbach), and Ann Marie (Dennis O’Brien). Eileen has 21 grandchildren and 9 great-grandchildren. She enjoyed her family a great deal and loved to take her kids and grandkids to her favorite places: Loretto Academy, Webster University, Roaring River State Park, Andre’s, The Nelson Art Gallery, Aixois and the Missouri Repertory Theater.

To satisfy her interest in communications, Eileen volunteered in many organizations over the years. Among her favorites were Women in Communications and The Hospitalized Veterans Writing Project. Years ago, Eileen gave each of her children a plaque that said, “God danced the day you were born.” That is how she looked at life, and that is how she wanted us to see it.