* Eileen Marie McCormick; Nun and Teacher

Sister Eileen Marie McCormick, who was known as Sister Mary Leo at Congregation of the Sisters of the Holy Cross, died Sunday at Saint Catherine by-the-Sea Retirement Home in Ventura. She was 85.

McCormick, who was born Aug. 22, 1915, in Monticello, received degrees from Saint Mary of the Wasatch in Salt Lake City, Loyola University in Los Angeles and Seattle University.

She taught for Holy Cross-directed grade schools in Idaho, California and Arizona. Her first assignment was at Saint Catherine’s Academy in Ventura from 1936 to 1938, where she taught fifth and sixth grade.

From 1990 to 1997, she was the activity director at Madonna Manor Retirement Center in Salinas. Because of ill health, she retired to Saint Catherine’s in Ventura and spent the last few years in prayer ministry.

She is survived by two nephews, William Johnston of New Jersey and Richard Johnston of Fremont.

Services are scheduled at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday in Convent Chapel at St. Catherine’s with the Rev. William Olivas officiating. Internment will be at Santa Clara Cemetery in Oxnard.

Arrangements are under the direction of Joseph P. Reardon Funeral Home in Ventura.