Eileen Catherine (Nally) Rollins, 80, of Wrentham and formerly of Peabody, died Wednesday morning surrounded by her family at her home following a brief illness. She was the devoted wife of Philip C. Rollins, with whom she shared over 53 years of marriage.

Born in Salem, she was the daughter of the late William John and Eileen C. (O’Meara) Nally. She was raised and educated in Peabody and was a graduate of Peabody High School, class of 1960. She continued her education at Salem State Teacher College and received her bachelor’s degree in 1965 and her master’s degree in 1967.

Eileen taught English for over 35 years in the Peabody Public School system. She began her career at the former Kennedy Junior High School for two years and then taught 33 years at the Peabody Veteran’s Memorial High School before retiring in 2005. She also served as interim head of the English department as well.

Eileen was an avid reader, fastidious homemaker, and gracious hostess. She enjoyed boating on the coast of Massachusetts from Danvers to Cape Cod and points in between, spending time with her extended family, and watching her children and grandchildren during their activities including horseback riding, youth sports, and music.

Besides her husband, Eileen is survived by her son and daughter-in-law, Timothy and Emily Rollins of Portland, OR; her daughter and son-in-law, Christine Marie and Daniel Ragan of Wrentham; her brother, William Nally of West Newbury; her sister, Mary Anne, and her husband Charles Self of Bee Cave, TX; and by her four beloved grandchildren, JoHanna and Ronan Ragan and Xanthe and Clark Rollins, as well as many dearly loved nieces and nephews.

Visiting hours will be held on Thursday, August 25th from 4:00 until 7:00 PM at the Conway, Cahill-Brodeur Funeral Home, 82 Lynn St., Peabody. Her funeral will be held on Friday, August 26th at 9:00 AM at Conway Cahill-Brodeur, followed by her Funeral Mass at 10:00 AM at St. Ann’s Church, Lynn St., Peabody to which relatives and friends are kindly invited to attend. Burial will be in St. Mary’s Cemetery, Salem.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in her name to a scholarship fund for students graduating Peabody Veterans Memorial High School. Checks may be sent to the Eileen Rollins Memorial Scholarship Fund, P.O. Box 357, Wrentham, MA 02093.