Eileen (Cavanaugh) Shanly

Eileen Cavanaugh Shanly made her transition to eternal rest on October 18 th , 2023 at Samaritan Hospital
in Troy, NY surrounded by her family. Full circle, born at Samaritan Hospital in November of 1943,
where her father was the Chief of Pediatrics. Eileen graduated from the Academy of the Holy Names
and received her baccalaureate degree from Manhattanville College in Purchase, NY. She started her
career in Troy as well, working for the Department of Labor as an Employment Counselor, a role she
loved and continued until her retirement in 2003, though she took a brief break to raise her children
when the family moved to Rochester.
Eileen was a ray of light to anyone who knew her, never finding fault in anyone’s actions. For that
reason, she was often a confidant, especially to those who knew they’d be judged elsewhere. Some of
her last prayers were for the hospital Chaplain and the medical team that cared for her because “they
must feel awful they can’t save me.” She was the embodiment of the saying “Dance, as if no one is
watching.” She was a great lover of all music, but primarily the Holy Trinity: Classical, Folk and Irish. She
loved her Irish heritage, Siena basketball, Crooked Lake, animals - primarily horses, dogs (and the
occasional feral cat), and taking your leftovers after a meal in a restaurant. But above all else, she loved
her family- nuclear and extended. Eileen was predeceased by her parents, Frederick and Marie
Cavanaugh, and her former husband, Michael Shanly. She is survived by her brother Fred (Debbie),
children Timothy (Shannon), Julie (Kevin), and Brian (Mary); her grandchildren Sheridan, Erica, Mary,
Nikole, Dalton, Rachel, Broghan, Niall, and Fiona, great-grandchildren Dylan, Trinity, Teaghan, Amelia,
Connor, Mason and Aubrey, and an abundance of close cousins and dear friends. All of whom will miss
her terribly.
Friends and family may call at the William Leahy Funeral Home, 336 Third Street, Troy NY from 4- 7pm
on Monday, October 23.
The funeral service for Eileen will be held Tuesday morning, October 24 at 9:15 am at the William Leahy
funeral home, and a mass of Christian burial will be celebrated at the Sacred Heart Church in Troy, NY at
10:00 am.

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