Mary Eileen Antill

Mary Eileen Antill (91) of Houston, Texas, passed away peacefully on June 1, 2024 at the Kendall House in Boerne, Texas.

Born to James Cranford and Heloise Hartnett Antill in Houston, Texas on May 13, 1933, Eileen was the youngest of four children. As the only girl, many of her interests in life were shaped by her older brothers' activities and interests, including a love of music, with a natural talent for harmony and rhythm, a way with words - from the "gift of gab" Irish side of the family - and becoming a lifelong fan of the University of Texas Longhorns.

The loss of her father during her teen years led Eileen to find solace through the church and ultimately to enter the convent under the tutelage of the Dominican Sisters of Houston, where she was given the name Sister Laetitia. After earning a degree in Mathematics from Sacred Heart Dominican College, she taught all levels of math at St. Agnes Academy well into her seventies. When her mother was unable to live alone, she continued her service to St. Agnes, but in order to become full-time caregiver for her mother was no longer serving in the capacity of a Dominican Sister. However, her love of teaching and bond with the Dominican Sisters never wavered, blossoming into lifelong friendships with alumnae and faculty at the Academy long after retirement.

Eileen's devoutness as a nun and a teacher was tempered by an endearing sense of humor and love of music, from hymns to popular country western. She followed current events and could quip with the best of them about politics and sports, with an amazing ability to make a pun on the spot. She took up the ukulele for her own pleasure before learning her favorite songs on an electric keyboard, singing and playing for neighbors and family.

Eileen is predeceased by her brothers, James, John, and David Antill. Survivors include nephew Jeff Antill, nieces Carol Antill and Susan Rhodes, all of Pipe Creek, Texas, nieces Gena Antill and Bernice Antill of Rockdale, Texas, and great-niece Laura White of Manning, South Carolina.

Eileen's final request was to be interred beside her mother in Houston, Texas. In lieu of a memorial service, her family encourages all who knew her to honor her by donating to St. Agnes Academy in Houston, Texas, at https://www.st-agnes.org/support-us/ways-to-give . The compassionate and expert care delivered to her while residing at Kendall House in Morningside at Menger Springs was extraordinary as were her caregivers from Alamo Hospice.

Funeral arrangements are entrusted to Grimes Bandera Funeral Chapel in Bandera, Texas.

Memories of Eileen (Sister Letitia) are most welcome to be shared here through the guestbook.