Eileen is survived by her children, Aleen Stanton (husband Kenneth), Gerald Tufano (wife Carol) and Suzanne Javors (husband Russell); four grandchildren, Eddie Stanton, Jesse Javors, Jeremy Tufano and Heather Maloney; and five great grandchildren, Austin Stanton, Jacob Javors, Luke Javors, Emma Maloney and Dylan Maloney.
Eileen was born in Manhattan on March 31, 1925. Her father, John Hughes, worked as an Inspector of Construction for New York City and at J. Hughes Plumbing, a family business. Her mother, Catherine Hughes (nee Martin), dedicated her life to her husband and 8 children. They lived on East 82nd Street at the time of Eileen’s birth and later moved to Astoria, NY. She shared her childhood with her sisters, Margaret, Florence, Ann, Marie, Patricia and her brother, James Hughes. Unfortunately, a seventh daughter, Catherine, passed away at a very young age from a childhood illness before Eileen’s birth. The “Hughes” girls were all very beautiful women both inside and out. The only son, James Hughes, died a hero during World War II at the age of 23 in Germany. His death haunted Eileen her entire life as “Jimmy” and Eileen were very close in age and spent their tender years side by side.
Eileen Hughes described her chance meeting of Alfonso Tufano at a dance as “love at first sight.” They were married in 1945 and lived above her in-law’s home on Vernon Boulevard, Astoria while Al became a New York City policeman. They later moved to Long Island where they raised their three children. Eileen opened a nursery school in Elmont, NY and later worked for the New York Telephone Company until her retirement. Al Tufano died at the young age of 46 from lung cancer, while working at ABC Studios after retiring from the police force.
William J. Burke was the second “love of her life,” whom she also met at a dance. They married in 1974 on Pearl Harbor Day and Eileen became stepmother to William (wife Barbara), Clifford (wife Donna) and Kenneth (wife Mae), and eventually step-grandmother to the boys’ 8 children and later step great-grandmother to 6 children. Eileen and Bill were well suited as they both enjoyed a very active social life, loved music and were considered accomplished dancers. They always requested “Summer Wind” by Old Blue Eyes when they were out dancing. Eileen often retold the story of being a “bobbysoxer” who skipped school to see Frank Sinatra perform at The Paramount Theatre in Times Square in 1943.
Although Eileen and Bill lived in a picturesque waterfront home in Bellmore, NY that included a dance floor created to perfect their passion of ballroom dancing, they moved to Boca Raton, Florida in the late 1980’s. They relished the Florida lifestyle to the fullest; golfing, dancing, members of the Elks club and shopping. They were both clotheshorses but no one could compare to Eileen. She was always dressed to the hilt with matching accessories and never left the house without her hair and makeup done. She was the original Diva and a stunning woman throughout her life. They were married for 40 years when William passed away at the age of 90. As a Purple Heart veteran, Bill was buried at the South Florida National Cemetery in Lake Worth where Eileen will join him on March 13th.
