Obituaries

Eileen Lillian Gildersleeve

On Aug. 31, 2013, Eileen Lillian Gildersleeve of Mattituck passed away. She reached 84 years of age.

She was born to Edward and Lillian Murphy in Brooklyn July 5, 1929. With a brother, Ned, she was raised during the Great Depression and World War II. From this she emerged with an understanding of hard work, an optimistic outlook, a deep religious faith and a great sense of humor.

Brooklyn public schools led to undergraduate and master’s degrees from St. John’s University. She wanted to be a teacher. She met and married lifelong Mattituck resident George Healy Gildersleeve. They settled in Mattituck and raised a family of six children.

Eileen taught second grade at Sacred Heart School (now Our Lady of Mercy) in Cutchogue for 30 years. In addition, she tutored, taught religious education and prepared the children for First Communion and First Penance. She was active in the PTA and, especially, the talent shows. She was thrilled to visit the Vatican and cathedrals in France and Italy, and made a pilgrimage to the Shrine to Our Lady in Medjugorje.
Her husband, George, passed away in 1995. Eileen retired from teaching in 2000. She is survived by six children, five grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.

The family received visitors Sept. 6 at DeFriest-Grattan Funeral Home in Mattituck. Following a funeral Mass at Our Lady of Good Counsel Church, she was interred at Sacred Heart R.C. Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that any donations be made to the Retirement Fund for Religious.

This is a paid notice.