Eileen Marie Blair, 89, of Atlanta, died on April 21, 2018 after a brief hospitalization.
Above all, Eileen will be remembered for her exceptionally kind, thankful, loving, and generous
spirit. Even as aspects of her physical health began to waver in later years, Eileen never lost a
shred of her legendary mental acuity. She devoted this gift and energy to chronicling the life and
times of loved ones, serving in retirement as the family herald of any and all news worth
celebrating. She was also a reliable confidant and a prolific bearer of wisdom and advice. (In
spare time, these faculties tracked the comings and goings of the British Royal Family, the
Kennedys, and Tom Selleck.)
Eileen was born on June 12, 1928 in New York, NY, daughter of Irish emigres John P.
(1900-1970) and Eileen Marie Skelly (née Fallon, 1897-1983). She was a graduate of William
Cullen Bryant High School in Jackson Heights, NY. She worked in administrative roles for most
of her professional life, speaking especially fondly of her time at TIAA CREF’s offices in New
York during the 1950s. Eileen would meet her future husband of 57 years, Richard B. Blair (d.
Aug. 15, 2010), while working at Barrington & Associates in 1947.
Mr. and Mrs. Blair lived in Rego Park, Farmingdale, and Franklin Square, NY, followed by
warm-climate golden years in Bluffton, SC, and Atlanta. She is predeceased by her brother,
John J. Skelly (d. 1999). She is survived by her two children, Gregory Blair of Garden City, NY
and Allison Blair Maner of Atlanta, daughter-in-law, Rene Blair, and son-in-law, Bill Maner. She
leaves behind eight beloved grandchildren to whom she will forever be "Noni": Ryan,
Christopher, Darcey, Jennifer, Lauren, Alex, Blair, and Catherine Hope. Her great-grandchild is
expected on April 29.
Funeral services will be held on Thursday April 26, 2018 at 9 a.m. at Our Lady of the
Assumption Catholic Church in Atlanta. Burial will follow at Georgia National Cemetery in
Canton. The family will receive guests on Wednesday, April 25, 2018 from 4-7 p.m. at H.M.
Patterson & Son Funeral Home at 4550 Peachtree Rd NE, Atlanta.
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