Eileen Michelle Minte

Scarborough- Eileen Michelle Minte, 63, of Higgins Beach, Maine passed away at home after a long illness on March 10, 2014. Eileen was born on June 1, 1950 in Staten Island, New York and graduated from St. Mary’s High School in Perth Amboy, NJ. She went on to Elizabeth Seton College in NY and graduated from The University of Arizona with a BA in Early Childhood Education in 1972. She earned her MA in Early Childhood Psychology at College of New Rochelle and a second masters, an MS in Educational Psychology at NYU.

Eileen met her husband, Geoff, on a blind date on February 8, 1969 and they were married in 1976 after a fun filled courtship. They lived in White Plains for 20 years after being married and then moved to Yarmouth, Maine in 1996.

While in White Plains, Eileen worked as a consultant and psychologist for Connecticut Educational Services, Head Start and a number of other organizations and institutions providing leadership and expertise for children and their families.But her primary focus was a growing family that started in 1981. Before long she became a true soccer mom (and her kids might say “soccer fanatic”). That behavior continued from NY as she and Geoff moved their family to Maine as she loved watching her children play soccer and other sports through high school and college. Despite her NY roots, she became a late blooming Boston Celtics fan and remained so.

She loved the beach and walked beaches in NY, Maine and wherever she got a chance around the world. Eileen was a loyal friend and loved taking walks with them and her family where they could solve the problems of the world. She had a great sense of humor-if you heard a loud laugh it probably was Eileen!

In between raising her children in Maine, she was an active Board Member at The Center for Grieving Children and Catherine Morrill Day Nursery, both in Portland. In Maine, she also continued the penchant she developed in NY for renovating homes and interior design building and finishing her own homes. Eileen was a loyal friend and the glue that kept her extended family together, making sure that gatherings were frequent. She also loved dogs, travel and great wine and was active in her yoga practice and workouts even through her illness.

She was predeceased by her parents, Michael Simko and Margaret Dullea Simko; and her sister Maureen S. Hreha in 2013.

She is survived by her husband of 37 years, Geoffrey Minte; sons Luke, Colin, Shane and daughter Tierney; sister Kathleen Babich and her husband Charles; brother in law Michael Hreha; sister in law Drucilla Pluhowski and her husband John. She was “Aunt Nip” to nephews Adam Hreha and his wife Candice; Eric Hreha and his wife Kate; Tim Babich and his wife Monica; Dan Babich and his wife Luisa; nieces Julia Margagliotta and her husband Mark; Joanna Pluhowski; Jenevieve Pluhowski; Jane Pluhowski; and five grand nephews and two grand nieces.

Family and friends are invited to attend a time of visitation on Friday, March 14, 2014 from 5-8 PM at Jones, Rich & Hutchins Funeral Home, 199 Woodford St. Portland. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Saturday, March 15, 2014 at 11:30 AM at St. Joseph’s Church, 673, Stevens Ave. Portland.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to: Center for Grieving Children 555 Forest Avenue Portland, ME 04101.