St. Mary-of-the-Woods, IN - ST. MARY-OF-THE-WOODS - Sister Eileen Dede, 95, of St. Mary-of-the-Woods, IN, died May 25, 2026 at 4:30 a.m. in Union Hospital, Terre Haute, IN. She was born on April 16, 1931 in Terre Haute, IN to Arthur and Helena O'Leary Dede and was baptized Cecilia Eileen.

Sister entered the Congregation of the Sisters of Providence on January 7, 1948 and received the name Sister Anita Therese. She professed Final Vows August 15, 1955. She earned a bachelor's degree from St. Mary-of-the-Woods College and a master's degree from Indiana University.

Of her 78 years as a Sister of Providence, she ministered as teacher for 28 years in schools in Indiana, Illinois and Massachusetts. For four of these years she served as principal. She taught at Sacred Heart, Terre Haute, during the 1983-84 school year. Having trained in Chaplaincy, she served as chaplain in California for four years and at the Health Care at the Motherhouse for seven years. Moving to Florida, she returned to teaching for six more years and then ministered for two years in religious education. She moved to Indianapolis in 2010 where she volunteered as a hospital visitor, prior to moving to the Motherhouse. Beginning in 2023, she committed herself totally to the ministry of prayer.

Sister Eileen was well known for being an avid reader and also being very present to whomever came to visit. We will miss her gentle, caring and attentive spirit.

Sister is survived by sisters, Sister Patricia Dede, OSB, of Beech Grove, IN, and Sister Mary Mark Dede, SP of St. Mary-of-the-Woods. She is preceded in death by two sisters, Angele M. Dede and Sister Kathleen Dede, SP; and three brothers, Rev. James Dede, Rev. Paul Dede, and Rev. John Dede.

The wake is on Wednesday, June 3, 2026 at 3:30 p.m. in the Church of the Immaculate Conception with the wake service at 4:30 p.m. The wake continues on Thursday, June 4, 2026 at 10:00 a.m. with the Mass of Christian Burial at 11:00 a.m., Reverend Ron Ashmore presiding. Burial is in the cemetery of the Sisters of Providence. DeBaun Funeral Homes, Wabash Avenue Chapel, assisted with arrangements. Memorial contributions may be made to the Sisters of Providence, 1 Sisters of Providence, Saint Mary-of-the-Woods, IN 47876.

INDIANA

St. Patrick, Indianapolis, 1951-53; St. Malachy, Brownsburg, 1955-57; Holy Spirit, 1959-65; Immaculate Heart, 1965-67; St. John, Vincennes (principal), 1967-71; St. Luke, Indianapolis, 1971-73; St. Thomas Aquinas, Indianapolis, 1973-77; Sacred Heart, Terre Haute,1983-84; Health Care, Motherhouse, 1984-91.

MASSACHUSETTS

Cheverus School, Malden, 1950-51.

ILLINOIS

St,. Mark, Chicago, 1953-55; St. Genevieve, Chicago, 1957-58; St. David, Chicago, 1958-59.

CALIFORNIA

Mercy Hospital, San Diego, 1979-80; Daniel Freeman Hospital, Inglewood, 1980-83.

FLORIDA

St. Joseph, Bradenton, 1994-97; Our Lady of Lourdes, Dunedin, 2001-03.