Eileen Louise O'Neill

Eileen Louise O’Neill passed away at age 82 on December 16, 2020 in West Hills, California. She was born to Leo and Dorothy Ambrose on April 29, 1938 in Santa Monica, CA. Eileen grew up on Olive Street in Inglewood, CA, around the corner from “the big donut”. She graduated from St. Mary’s Academy in 1956, a proud “Blue Tie”. She never lost her love for Inglewood, even after the house she was raised in was torn down to make way for the 405 freeway. After a brief time working at North American Aviation, Eileen married Mike O’Neill and, in 1964, they moved their growing family to Canoga Park in the San Fernando Valley. In Canoga Park she was a founding member of St. Bernardine of Siena parish and belonged to San Juan guild. Eileen was extremely busy raising four children, being a scout leader, volunteering at school and in the community, attending Pierce College at night, and making friends everywhere she went. When she and Mike divorced, Eileen worked incredibly hard to raise her children alone. She worked nights at Encino hospital as a nursing assistant until 1977, when she began a job as a teller at Valley Federal Savings. She quickly worked her way up to Operations Officer, making many more friends along the way. In 1982 she left Valley Federal to work at Rocketdyne in Canoga Park. She spent the rest of her career at Rocketdyne, retiring in 2011. She loved working at “the Rock” and was extremely proud of her work on the Space Shuttle Main Engine. Her co-workers there became part of her family. After she retired, she was always on the go. She volunteered at the Guadalupe Center in Canoga Park and the Friends of the Platt Library. But, mostly, she spent time with family and friends. Her door was always open, whether for a quick chat or a long heart-to-heart. Nothing made her happier than one of her grandchildren popping by for a catch up.

Eileen loved many things in her life: Morro Bay, Knott’s Berry Farm, Big Bear, Bob’s Big Boy, Shamrock shakes, Mission Burrito, reading, movies, a scotch on the rocks with just a splash of water. But she loved nothing more than her grandchildren. They were everything to her and it would be difficult to find a graduation, recital, track meet, soccer or baseball game that she did not attend, no matter what the weather or how bad the parking was. The world is a sadder, quieter place without her laughter.

Eileen leaves behind her brother, Bob (Phyllis) Ambrose; her sister, Nancy; her four children, Kathy (Rob) Cromar, Patrick (Lisa) O’Neill, Sean (Sandra) O’Neill, and Brian (Monique) O’Neill; her eleven grandchildren; her five nieces and nephews; her cousins; and innumerable friends.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to Guadalupe Center in Canoga Park or The Friends of the Platt Library.

The Funeral Mass will be a private family service on Friday, January 8 at 10 am. The family ask, due to Covid restrictions the funeral will be for immediate family only. A large celebration of Eileen’s life will take place as soon as it is safe to do so.