Eileen D. Christoph

Mrs. Eileen D. Christoph, age 87. Loving wife of Raymond L. Dear mother of Nancy (Barry) Burnham, and Cynthia M. Johnson. Grandmother of Bradley (Gayle), Keith, and Jeffrey. Great grandmother of Cameron and Caitlin. Predeceased by her parents Roy and Wanda Yake, and her brother Raymond Yake. Visitation will be Friday 2-8:00PM at Resurrection Funeral Home, 40800 Hayes Road, Clinton Township, Sunday 2-8:00PM at Harry J. Will Funeral Home, 37000 Six Mile Road, Livonia, with an O.E.S. Kindness Chapter service at 7:00PM. Funeral service 11:00AM Monday at the Harry J. Will Funeral Home. Memorials to Hope United Church of Christ, 32500 Utica Road, Fraser, MI. 48026 would be appreciated.

Many things can be said about Eileen D. Christoph. Known to friends and acquaintances as a friendly, energetic, empathic and decisive woman, her compassionate nature would always shine through, revealing her charm, warmth and conscientious demeanor. She was warmhearted, gentle and organized in all the things she sought to accomplish. Eileen was a mentor, a natural “teacher” capable of seeing things clearly, leading others and bringing out the best in all of those around her. She generally had a focus on harmony and peace.

Her parents were Roy and Wanda Yake. Eileen was raised in Detroit, Michigan. When she was young, Eileen's friends and family found that “straightforward” and “honest” were perfect words to describe her. Even as a child, Eileen demonstrated strong qualities of self-confidence, perceptive ability and a disposition that was enjoyable to those around her.

She had an older brother, Raymond. Eileen was constantly involved in all sorts of activities with her family. She was even-tempered, taking care not to get involved in too many family conflicts. This quality served her well, in perpetually bringing harmony, understanding and a sense of peace to the family. Eileen carried these traits into her adult life and served as one of many reasons why family and friends found her pleasurable and delightful to be around. Eileen was a person who genuinely understood and cared for others, making powerful connections with those she knew.

As a young girl, Eileen was imaginative, ingenious, clever and a “novel” thinker. Regardless of whether her peers were older or younger, or came from different backgrounds, Eileen could easily relate to other kids. She was an active child who enjoyed jump rope. In her spare time she liked playing dolls with her girlfriends, going to the penny candy store, and going dancing. However, to Eileen, the most fun to be had was simply playing and spending time with her many friends.

During her high school years, Eileen had a natural flair for cheering on and applauding just about everyone. She was constantly offering her support and encouragement to fellow members of the groups and activities in which she participated. She graduated from McKenzie High School in June, 1941. She did well in school and genuinely enjoyed telling stories in a way that drew people to her. In this way, Eileen had a talent for becoming the center of attention, a kind of social catalyst. Eileen was often found to be the lead person facilitating a group activity, frequently filling the role of being “the life of the party.” Teachers and classmates knew Eileen as an excellent listener. She placed a high value on learning and always understood that there was a new lesson to be grasped waiting for her just around the corner. Her favorite classes were penmanship, and spelling. Eileen was a friend to many and enjoyed being with people.

Always considered a “good” friend, Eileen sought to understand the things that others enjoyed. For this reason Eileen always seemed to possess a never-ending collection of acquaintances. Eileen’s friends found her easy to know and get along with because of her talent for being socially at ease, adept at conversation, and always amiable in her dealings with others. Eileen would always seek to learn what her friends enjoyed, and she would go out of her way to make sure that their needs were met. Eileen was always seen as the type of person who was the more gracious giver. In fact, she sometimes felt ill at ease when she was the one on the receiving end. Throughout her life she had many friends. While growing up, some of her best friends were Jean McIntosh, Louise and Bonnie Schiem. Later in life, she became friends with Jim and Lois Phill, Doris and Eugene Wienburger, Bob and Gloria Godair, the Kenyon's, the Stills, Dick and Barbara Hess, Carol and Bud Kain, Art and Marge Reinholz, Marge and Chuck Carothers, Phil and Lela Caroll, Eddie and Alex Blasak, and others from "The Do Nothing Club", many Masons from the Lola Valley Lodge, Marion Street neighbors, and many new friends from Waltonwood, Bev, Geri, Shirley, Bea, Rosemary, and Geri.

Eileen was compassionate and devoted, on July 12, 1947 Eileen married Raymond Louis Christoph in Detroit, michigan. Eileen worked hard to make her new family happy. She was always generous with her time and this meant that Raymond came first in Eileen’s book. She was always caring and made certain that she considered Raymond’s feelings. By trusting her emotions, Eileen did her best to make sure that both the marriage and home life ran smoothly. This is just one more example of how Eileen was truly a person of empathy.

Eileen’s quality of being a caring and tolerant person who was very accepting of others translated to being a good mother to her children. Eileen shared these values with her two daughters, Nancy and Cynthia. Eileen was also blessed with three grandchildren, Bradley Strange, Keith, and Jeffrey Johnson, and great grandchildren Cameron and Caitlin Strange. Eileen related well to children of all ages and was able to connect to them on their level. The children always loved her and she was completely and totally devoted to them.

Eileen experienced success in her work life over and over again. Her primary occupation was a homemaker. She had also been employed for many years at American Concrete, and then part time for a few years at Elliotts Saddlery. Eileen always made the effort to understand what was needed at work, and was well known by her colleagues as a team player. Eileen took pride in managing her professional responsibilities and seemed to always know what was necessary to successfully complete a project. Eileen was one to take the initiative and her skills at working cooperatively were highly valued. Eileen continually sought to learn what her co-workers did well and how they were most effective, a talent that enabled her to help them develop their own potential.

Because she was organized and methodical, Eileen took great pleasure in her various hobbies. Her favorite pursuits were baking, playing cards, and square dancing. Eileen enjoyed sharing her passions with others and could singularly focus on one hobby at a time.

Eileen delighted in the strategy and inner workings of a competition. Recreational sports included bowling. Eileen was also something of a sports fan and enjoyed watching her favorite events whenever she got the opportunity. Tops on her list were professional bowling and ice skating.

Throughout her life, Eileen was actively involved in professional and community organizations. With a talent for focusing in on exactly what was required to be completed, Eileen was known to her peers as being able to strengthen any group endeavor. When called on, Eileen was a natural leader who created harmony and good relationships within the group, often putting her own needs aside. Eileen’s involvement could easily help structure and organize any part of an organization. An added benefit was Eileen’s ability to bring valued principles along with her. Throughout her later years, Eileen was an active member of the Kindness Chapter #523 Order of the Eastern Star and President of Central Parkway Condo Association for many years.

Eileen was well known to others for her ability to naturally and conscientiously move into action to help others, a quality that placed her as an active contributor to many community activities. Charismatic by nature, she was always viewed by others as someone who built bridges, connected to people, and upheld her personal values. Politically, Eileen was involved in working the elections as an Election Board Chair Person at the local polling place.

Eileen’s faith was important to her. She was a life long member of St. Paul's Presbyterian Church. During that time, she was a Sunday school teacher, Womens Circle, Eastern Star O.E.S. #523 serving as a Marshall, Warder and Sunshine Chairman sending cards to many to brighten their day. She was compassionate and warm hearted, someone who truly cared for others and that was clearly demonstrated in her work with the congregation.

Eileen enjoyed traveling, and because she was so well organized, she would take on the responsibility of planning and scheduling all of the family vacations. Her gift for keeping things lively meant that vacations with Eileen were always enjoyable. Favorite vacations included the cottage at Lake Misaki, her two trips to Hawaii, a Bahamas cruise, Florida, and going to Camp Dearborn initially tent camping, then buying a trailer there.

Eileen was a lover of animals and cherished her pets. Two of Eileen's favorite were Tammy, a Golden Retriever and Beau Bo, a Mixed Terrier. She was best friends with Tammy for 10 years and Beau Bo for 8 years.

Being the focused and organized person that she was, Eileen had taken care to plan for this part of her life. When that time eventually arrived, Eileen knew exactly what she wanted to do. Her new life involved relocating to Sterling Heights, Michigan. In retirement, she found new pleasure in making new friends and participating in many activities at Waltonwood of Lakeside. Even in retirement, Eileen continued to stay in touch with her old friends and made plenty of new acquaintances. She was active in the community and felt fulfilled.

Eileen passed away on March 8, 2011 at Evangelical Home in Sterling Heights, Michigan. Eileen was a fighter to the end. The last eight weeks of her life saw her face many infections and organ failures. She is survived by her husband Raymond L. Christoph, children, Nancy (Barry) Burnham and Cynthia M. Johnson, grandchildren, Bradley (Gayle) Strange, Keith and Jeffrey Johnson, great grandchildren, Cameron and Caitlin Strange. Services were held at Harry J. Will Funeral Home in Livonia, Michigan on March 14, 2011. Eileen was laid to rest in Glen Eden Cemetery in Livonia, Michigan.

Throughout her life, Eileen was a gregarious and enthusiastic woman. She was generous in sharing her personal attributes, giving and helping those she knew and loved. She would often fill the role of coach, bringing out the best in everyone. She was imaginative, original, tender hearted and easy to get along with. Eileen leaves behind her a legacy of life-long friendships and cherished memories. Everyone whose lives she touched will dearly remember Eileen D. Christoph.