The 22-year-old alumnus of Loyola Academy in Wilmette died in a tragic ski accident last week in Colorado.
Eileen Sheahan, of Evanston, died after colliding with a tree near Aspen Highlands Ski Resort around noon on Saturday, Jan. 27, according to an Aspen Skiing Company statement. Aspen’s Loge Peak is home to a series of ski runs that were involved in the accident.
In an obituary written by her family, Sheahan was preparing to graduate with a degree in economics from the University of Michigan in May. Graduating from Loyola Academy in 2020, she attended St. Joan of Arc Elementary School in Evanston.
Donnellan Family Funeral Home in Skokie will hold a visitation from 2 to 8 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 4, at the funeral home. A funeral Mass will also be held (livestreamed) at 10:30 a.m. the same day in Old St. Patrick’s Church, 700 West Adams St., Chicago.
Supporters are asked to make a donation to either Loyola Academy’s or The Academy at St. Joan of Arc’s Eileen Sheahan Memorial Scholarship in lieu of flowers.
Her parents TJ and Patti Sheahan said in a statement that Eileen will be forever loved and missed. A wonderful big sister, best friend, and role model, she will be remembered for her kindness and love. Eileen’s legacy of giving is continued by her organ donation, which continues her legacy of giving to others.
It has been a blessing having had 22 beautiful years with our cherished daughter, and we are comforted to feel her presence and love at this difficult time.”
Eileen Sheahan, the daughter of TJ and Patti Sheahan, was a devoted family member, having three siblings, aunts, uncles, and numerous cousins.
The entire room would light up when Eileen walked into a room, says her aunt Kathy O’Brien Caplice. Whenever she went, she brought lightness and joy with her amazing smile. She really listened to you when she spoke to you. Despite being beautiful and accomplished, she was humble and self-deprecating, which only made her even more endearing.” “Eileen was a young woman who was looking forward to graduation, who had almost straight As in her grade point average, and a job awaiting her when she completed school. Although she was humble and self-deprecating, this only made her more endearing.”
Her family’s words are echoed in memorial posts on her tribute page.
Katie Schied, a Loyola Academy classmate and longtime friend, said Sheahan was always there for her.
In his essay, Schied writes, “I will never forget the friendship we made and the advice she gave me as an older sister (at Loyola).” Schied writes, “She was truly so kind to everyone she came in contact with. She was kind, intelligent, and selfless, and I will never forget her.”
In Ann Arbor, Sheahan enrolled in the University of Michigan after graduating from Loyola. A report from Mlive.com reports that she represented the Alpha Phi sorority as a student ambassador.
A shining light, she was a special person and I am so lucky to have known her. On the digital tribute wall, sorority sister Tessa Weinberger wrote, “We won’t be the same without her.”.
Sheahan was the sister of Erin, Margaret, and Michael, and the daughter of Patricia O’Brien Sheahan, a Cook County judge. She was idolized by her cousins, including the Hendricks cousins Michael, Brian (Christine), Eddie (Jess), and Molly (Joe Centlivre), according to her obit. The Caplice cousins are Nell and Mac; the O’Briens are Patrick, Carlin and Shaun. The O’Malleys are Courtney (Ryan Leonard), Molly, Shea, Ryan, Tara, Brennan, Annie and Meg; and the Sheahans are Morgan, Lee, Caroline, Tommy, Mick, Elle, Lila, Owen, and Paddy. The following families adored her: Kathy and Tom Caplice, Mariellen and Mike Hendricks, Jim and Karen O’Brien, Katie and Tom O’Malley, Michael Sheahan, Pam Munizzi, Tim and Debbie Sheahan, Ryan and Anne Sheahan, and Patrick and Renee Sheahan. Mike Sheahan and Nancy O’Brien, and Pat and Debbie O’Brien, were cherished grandparents of her.”
