Eileen M. Risley

Eileen Marie Cecilia Leneweaver Risley came into this world on December 7, 1924, in Detroit, Michigan, and entered into eternal life on December 18, 2021, at her daughter’s home in Traverse City surrounded by her family.

Eileen was the youngest child of Boadicea and Charles Leneweaver. She was a sweet and adorable young girl whose love of dancing and the arts was fostered by her parents. Her first role model was Shirley Temple, and as a young adult she danced and acted in The Chesaning Showboat Festival and performed in Summer Stock theater.

As a young child, she moved with her family to Saginaw, Michigan where she later attended St. Andrew’s Catholic High School, graduating in 1943. In her mid-twenties, she moved with her parents to Lansing, where she worked as a secretary at REO Motors and met the love of her life, George Risley, at a work picnic. They were married on September 14, 1957, at Holy Cross Church surrounded by family and friends.

George and Eileen were devout Catholics and made Holy Cross their parish. They raised their children in an amazing Catholic community and school, which taught the love of God, respect for fellow man, regardless of the color, gender, or creed, and a passion for doing good works and reaching beyond the stars (literally, as Holy Cross had a mock Apollo module with three student astronauts). What a great gift George and Eileen gave their Children!

Family was very important to Eileen throughout her life. Every summer she and George would stuff a week’s worth of camping gear into their station wagon, load up their kids, and take off “Up North.” This became a tradition that was handed down to their children: a love of the Great Outdoors.

Eileen lost her husband on December 8, 1999, and a few years later, was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s/Dementia. Throughout her journey with her cognitive decline, she was always happy in the moment, and even though her mind was failing, when asked, she could cut a rug with her tap dancing. She never lost the ability to dance and sing, and this would continue to the end of her life.

Eileen was the very best mother and grandmother. She was incredibly patient, kind, and compassionate. Her warm hands could soothe away any sadness or pain. She was the center of her family’s lives and will be sorely missed.

Eileen is preceded in death by her husband George Edwin Risley, her parents, Boadicea and Charles Leneweaver, sister Mary Leneweaver Archey, brother Wallace “Barney” Leneweaver, and infant daughter Christine Risley. She is survived by her children Mary (Joe) Bianca, Jennifer (Mark) Griffin, Michelle (Greg) O’Dell, Cynthia Risley Hyams, Christopher (Kelly) Risley, and Theresa Risley. She is further survived by her grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews, whom she loved and cherished.

A visitation for Eileen will be held Wednesday, December 22, 2021 from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM at Tiffany Funeral Home, 3232 West Saginaw Street, Lansing, MI 48917. A rosary service will occur Wednesday, December 22, 2021 from 7:30 PM to 8:00 PM, 3232 West Saginaw Street, Lansing, MI 48917. A funeral service will occur Thursday, December 23, 2021 from 1:00 PM to 2:00 PM at St. Gerard Catholic Church, 4437 W Willow Hwy, Lansing, MI 48917.

The Funeral Service will be livestreamed please join us virtually by clicking the link below: https://webcast.funeralvue.com/events/viewer/65779

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.tiffanyfuneralhome.com for the Risley family. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Eileen's honor to Alzheimers Association www.alz.org