Eileen Ottaviani

She is survived by her three children, Marc, Darren, and Lisa, and by her six beloved grandchildren: Nico, Mia, Gabriella, Zofia, Ruby, and Mila.

Eileen was raised in Bloomfield, New Jersey, alongside her older brother Tom and her younger sisters, Pat and Marilyn. She graduated from Bloomfield High School and went on to earn her degree from Paterson State College in 1967. After teaching for several years, she and her husband Leonard moved to Toms River,

New Jersey, where they raised their family. Though she eventually stepped away from full-time teaching, she later returned as a substitute teacher and also worked in medical billing and reception.

As a primary school teacher, Eileen brought creativity and warmth into her classroom, drawing on her love of arts and crafts. That same creativity filled her home. From staging an elaborate birthday party production of The Wizard of Oz for her daughter Lisa to carefully crafting holiday decorations, she made everyday moments feel special for her children.

Eileen was known for her kindness, optimism, and love for her family. She took great pride in the life she built and rarely complained, choosing instead to focus on the blessings around her. She made her children feel safe, loved, and valued. She also had a lifelong love of music and enjoyed attending concerts and Broadway musicals, especially with her daughter. She loved to dance and laugh, and she could always be found on the dance floor at any wedding she attended.

Eileen leaves behind a family who will honor her life by remembering her warmth, creativity, and unconditional love.

Visitation is scheduled for February 13, 2026, from 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm, and again on February 14, 2026, from 8:00 am to 9:00 am. A Funeral Mass will take place Saturday, February 14 at 9:15am at St. Luke RC Church, Toms River. Burial will follow at St. Mary of the Lake Cemetery, Lakewood.