Eileen A. Gavin, PhD

Eileen passed away peacefully on May 2, 2024 after a brief illness. She was Professor Emeritus, and former head of the Psychology Department at St. Catherine's University in St Paul, MN. She was also a mentor and role model for countless students, colleagues, family, and friends. She was warm and welcoming, kind and dear.

Eileen was predeceased by her parents William R, and Isabel P. Gavin, her sister Jean G Cote, and nephew Dan Gausman. She is survived by her sister Marilyn J Gausman and nine nieces and nephews: Bill Gausman; Bob Gausman; Mary Wicklund; Jim Gausman; Joanie Gausman; Mary Wallace, Will Cote; Anne Bratt; Pat Carroll and many great nieces and nephews and friends.

Eileen was a longtime member of Nativity of Our Lord Catholic Church. Funeral details below. Interment will be at Roselawn Cemetery in Roseville, MN.

Special thanks for the loving care she received at Amira Choice, Roseville, where she lived with her sister, Marilyn for her last few months.

From American Psychologist (used with Author's permission)

In Memoriam

Eileen Gavin (1931-2024)

Eileen Gavin inspired a countless number of undergraduate women as a dedicated teacher of psychology, motivating her colleagues to dedicate an award in her honor at the University of St. Catherine in St. Paul, Minnesota, where she spent her entire career. A former colleague, Dr. Lynda Syzmanski, describes Eileen's impact: "She was a powerful voice for challenging students with a rigorous curriculum grounded in the liberal arts. She cared deeply about student learning and growth, and she had a major impact on thousands of students' lives."

Eileen Gavin died in May 2024 at 92, in St. Paul, Minnesota, after a brief illness. Born in Chicago in 1931, Eileen's family moved to Minneapolis when she was a year old. Her parents were Catholics who demonstrated, in her words, "marked religious tolerance." Eileen entered the (then) College of St. Catherine with a full tuition scholarship and soon followed her mentor, Sister Annette Walters, by joining the religious order there—the Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet. She completed an MA in psychology at the University of Minnesota in 1960 and a PhD at Loyola University, Chicago, in 1964. Returning to teach at St. Catherine, she served as department chair in the 1960s and 1970s. In 1977, she left the order of the Sisters of St. Joseph to pursue an independent life. She retired from St. Catherine in 2000 and continued her research for many years after.

Eileen published dozens of research articles, encyclopedia entries, and reviews. She organized multiple symposia on women’s contributions to psychology; one of her priorities was documenting the work of women and highlighting their achievements. In 2007, she published an edited volume, Women of Vision: Their Psychology, Circumstances, and Success, demonstrating her keen eye for the ways that individual women navigated around the gender-based constraints of their time and profession.

She also served in numerous leadership roles in the American Psychological Association Divisions 24 (Theoretical and Philosophical Psychology), 26 (History of Psychology), 35 (Psychology of Women), and 36 (Psychology of Religion and Spirituality). During the 1970s, she was deeply involved in launching Division 36 (originally called PIRI, “Psychologists Interested in Religious Issues”), noting that her most enjoyed professional service was program chair for its inaugural American Psychological Association program. Eileen had the relational gifts that quietly fuel academic organizations by supporting both participation and scholarly excellence.

As a committed teacher, she influenced many young women to pursue careers in psychology. One of them, Dr. Jean Giebenhain, emeritus professor of psychology at the University of St. Thomas, recalled: Throughout my professional life, we stayed in contact. She always continued to inspire. As a woman, nun, and then layperson, Eileen modeled what being a wise, creative, confident, successful, and caring woman could be. She made each of us feel unique, and always encouraged us to achieve and follow our values. She made a difference.

In Women of Vision, Eileen profiled her mentor, Sr. Annette Walters, as a formidable character who demanded excellence from those around her. In the essay she lauds Sr. Annette for prioritizing advancement of the field over promoting her own career or reputation. Eileen did the same in her lifetime, putting the field’s development and her students’ growth first and always ensuring that psychology was a hospitable home to women.

Ann Johnson

Department of Psychology, University of St. Thomas

Reference

Johnson, A. (2025). Eileen Gavin (1931–2024). American Psychologist. Advance online publication. https://dx.doi.org/10.1037/amp0001547

life story

Eileen (left) with her two sisters, Jean (center) and Marilyn (right)

memorial service

Mass of Christian Burial

March 11, 2026

Maternity of Mary Church 1414 Dale St N, St Paul, MN 55117, USA

Eileen's beloved sister Marilyn passed on 2/2/2026. A funeral mass for the sisters will be held jointly. Visitation one hour prior to the ceremony at 9:30. Burial to follow, then light refreshments and social hour will be held at the Church.

If it is easier for you to view a livestream from your computer of the funeral than to travel to the Mass, please click on the link below or copy and paste the following into your browser.

https://tinyurl.com/mpsbs4se

The livestream will start at 10:15 on 3/11. The password is Love, if one is required for you to join. A recording will be available sometime after the funeral, and the link will be posted here.

Funeral/Cremation Provider: Crescent Tide Cremation Services