Eileen M. McLaughlin

Eileen McLaughlin of Blooming Grove, NY passed away peacefully at home on March 12, 2012. She was 96. She was born June 2, 1915 in New York City to Thomas Harwood and Beatrice Dillon Harwood. Eileen graduated from Our Lady of Good Councel in Yorkville and Cathedral High School in Manhattan. An avid baseball Aficionado, she met her husband, Bert when he played for the Lexingtons, A semi-professional NYC team. They were married September 21, 1940 at Our Lady of Good Councel. They were married for almost 69 years. Eileen and Bert were the proud parents of six children who they raised in Riverdale before moving to Blooming Grove in 1975. Animated by her Catholic faith, Eileen taught CCD, delivered Meals on Wheels, volunteered for bingo and served as a Lector at Sunday Mass. She was a member of the Catholic Daughters of the Americas Court St. Ann, Mother of Mary #2419. She was an inspiration to all who were privileged to know her. Eileen ‘s 15 grandchildren and 32 great-grandchildren will forever cherish their life with grandma including many hikes, gardening tips, summer vacations in Twin Lakes, dancing the Irish Jig, afternoons at the airplane park and Pokeno for pennies. Eileen is survived by her children, Joseph of NYC, Eugene (Rita) of Stratford, Ontario, Nancy Spear of Blooming Grove, Paul of Blooming Grove, Monica (Dennis) Keane of Yonkers, Martin (Peggy) of Riverdale; 15 grandchildren, Maureen, Christina, Patricia, Laurie, Genevieve, Edward, Rebecca, Regina, Grace, Gregory, Paul , David, Carolyn, Deborah and Matthew. She is also survived by 32 great grandchildren and her brother Thomas Harwood. She was predeceased by her sisters Mary Thornby and Madeline Harwood. Visitation will be held Thursday, March 15 from 2-4 & 7-9pm at David T. Ferguson Funeral Home. Mass of Christian burial will be held Friday, March 16, 10am at St. Mary’s Church, Washingtonville, NY. Burial will follow at 11am in the Orange County Veteran’s Cemetery, Goshen, NY. Family requests donations be made to St. Mary’s Church, 2 Father Tierney Circle, Washingtonville, NY 10992. Arrangements under the care of Thomas A. Murray of David T. Ferguson Funeral Home, 20 North Street, Washingtonville, NY 10992, 845-496-9106. For further information or to leave condolences for Eileen’s family please visit www.davidtfergusonfh.com.