Eileen Donelan

Donelan, Eileen (Sullivan), formerly of Hemlock Drive in Enfield, passed away on Sunday, January 26, 2014 at The Suffield House. Her five children were at her side. She was born in Boston, MA on June 12, 1926, one of eleven children of Michael and Honora (Costello) Sullivan. She was a 1944 graduate of Hyde Park School. In 1948, she married her husband of nearly 60 years, the late Francis J. Donelan. She moved to Enfield in 1965, where she worked for Woolco, Travelers Insurance, and McLean Trucking Co. She retired as a Claims Examiner for the CT Department of Labor. Eileen was a beautiful, warm, and intelligent woman. Her generosity to others was extraordinary – she once gave away her bedroom set to a local family that had been burned out of their home. Her husband was quite surprised when he got home to an empty bedroom! She knit bandages for lepers, hosted inner city children during the summer, hosted a Mexican exchange student, and was always actively supporting those who were needy. Once their family was raised, she and her husband gave generously to charities and religious causes. She was a wonderful and caring mother. Although she was unable to attend college, she made sure all of her children graduated from college. She had the gift of gab – there was nothing she loved more than to chat with anyone and everyone about anything. She is survived by her children Jeanne and husband Steven of Pipersville, PA, William and wife Patricia of Andover MA, Brian and wife Lori of Bristol, RI, Matthew and wife Patricia of Farmington, CT, and Christopher and wife Sandra of Enfield, CT. Her ten cherished grandchildren include Julia and Greg Rapacki, Sarah and Mike Donelan, Amanda, Michaela, and Nick Donelan, Kyle and Caroline Donelan, and Caleb Donelan. She is also survived by her loving sister Katherine of Randolph, MA, and dear brothers James of Canton, MA and William of Peabody, MA, as well as almost 50 loving nieces and nephews. The family would like to thank the staff of The Suffield House for their compassionate care of Eileen. Calling Hours will be held at Browne Funeral Home, 43 Shaker Rd. Enfield CT on Saturday Feb. 8 between 9:00 – 11:00 AM, followed at 11:30 AM by a Mass of Christian Burial at St. Adalbert’s Church, 90 Alden Ave., Enfield CT. Burial will immediately follow at St. Adalbert’s Cemetery, Belmont Ave., Enfield CT. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Eileen’s memory to St. Jude Children’s Hospital, 262 Danny Thomas Place, Memphis, TN 38105, or at www.stjude.org.