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Eileen White

It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of Eileen Lucy White, who left us on Aug. 23, 2024, at the age of 88. Eileen was born on June 11, 1936, at St. Thomas’ Hospital in London, England. She lived a life full of adventure, love, and warmth, leaving an indelible mark on everyone who knew her.

Eileen’s final moments were spent surrounded by her loving husband of 56 years, Chet White, and their two devoted daughters, Kylie Bootsma and Heather Ouligian. She is also survived by Kylie’s husband, Eric Bootsma, and their children, Ian, Katherine, and Collin; as well as Heather’s husband, Chuck Ouligian, and their children, Jack and Oliver; as well as three other grandchildren, Olivia, Gwen, and Griffin White. Her family was the center of her world, and she cherished every moment spent with them.

Eileen was a proud graduate of Balham and Tooting College of Commerce in London. As a young woman, she traveled the world for work and pleasure, exploring Europe, the Far East, New Zealand, and Australia, often accompanied by her dear friend Moira. Eileen’s professional career as a legal secretary in New York City was marked by her quick grasp of legal theory and dedication, but her life took a beautiful turn when she met Chet on the Block Island ferry during the summer of 1967. They fell in love and married the following year, embarking on a lifelong journey together. They raised a family, built a successful manufacturers’ rep business, and had a lively social life. She was a great supporter and admirer of her husband’s award-winning portraits and realistic landscape paintings.

Eileen’s roots were deeply tied to her family’s history. She took great pride in her father’s military service in the British Army during World War II, including his service in North Africa, the evacuation at Dunkirk, and the D-Day invasion. Eileen often recounted stories of her childhood. She told about being moved from London with her mother and her adored younger brother, John, to the British countryside during the Blitz. It was there the kids sometimes rode on the back of the tractor her mother drove in the Land Army. When the war ended, her father gathered his family and returned to London, where he started a long and successful career as a licensed publican at several pubs. These experiences shaped Eileen into the strong, resilient woman we all knew and loved.

Family was everything to Eileen, and she devoted herself entirely to nurturing and supporting her loved ones. Her dedication to her husband, Chet, and her daughters, Kylie and Heather, was unwavering. She was their constant source of encouragement, always taking a deep interest in their lives, careers, and personal growth. Eileen had a unique ability to make each of her daughters feel understood and valued, always offering wisdom and guidance with a loving heart.

Her love extended to her grandchildren, each of whom she had a close and special connection with. Eileen celebrated their individuality, taking great pride in their accomplishments and milestones. Whether it was attending school events, offering advice, or simply spending time with them, she was a constant presence in their lives. She loved listening to their stories, sharing in their joys, and offering comfort during challenges. Her encouragement and support were a steady anchor for her grandchildren, who always knew they could count on her to be there with open arms and a warm smile.

Eileen’s love of animals was evident throughout her life, and her home was always filled with the joyful presence of pets. She had a special bond with each one. One of her most memorable companions was Mac the cat, whom she inherited from Auntie Em in Wimbledon, England. On Emily’s passing, Eileen adopted Mac and brought him to the U.S., where he lived out his days basking in the sun of her English garden, contentedly watching squirrels and birds quarrel around the bird feeder. Over the years, many cats and dogs were cherished in her home. Bear, her loyal copilot, always rode next to her in the passenger seat. Toby, her demanding but lovable Norwegian Elkhound, brought endless laughter with his distinctive personality. Each pet mirrored the humor and warmth that Eileen and Chet shared, becoming beloved members of their family.

While she had an inherently kind and cheerful nature, Eileen was a serious person. She did not like to be taken advantage of or disrespected. Those who crossed her were “off the list” permanently. But to those who approached her with good intentions, white-collar or blue-collar, she was open, friendly, and giving.

Eileen also had a sharp mind and a love for word games and quiz shows. Later in life, mornings were often spent challenging herself with Wordle, while afternoons brought the pleasure of watching her favorite quiz shows. But it was her mastery of Bananagrams that truly stood out. She delighted in the friendly competition, and it was a rare occasion indeed when a grandchild or daughter could outplay her. Eileen’s quick wit and love for these games brought her immense joy and were yet another way she connected with those she loved. After the quiz shows, came the news and politics. She was well-informed and, based on a long life of hard work, she was a strong believer in self-reliance and individual achievement.

Eileen’s home was a haven for her family and friends, a place where they always felt welcomed and loved. She was the ultimate nurturer, ensuring that every gathering was filled with warmth, laughter, and delicious meals. She was a chemist in the kitchen with a repertoire of hundreds of recipes in her head. Much of her cooking seemed intuitive, “a little of this and a little of that.” She took great pleasure in an elegant table setting. When she had everything laid out, the presentation was a work of art.

Holidays were especially important. Christmas was a time of cherished traditions, from making mince pies and English pudding to tearing open Christmas crackers and donning paper crowns. These traditions will continue to live on in the hearts of her family, a testament to the love and care she poured into every aspect of her life. The bonds she created with her family were deep and enduring, and her legacy of love, support, and encouragement will forever remain in the hearts of her daughters and grandchildren.

Eileen’s family kindly asks that, in lieu of flowers, donations be made to your local animal shelter or the American Cancer Society in her memory.

A celebration of Eileen’s life will be held from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 7, at Robinson Wright & Weymer Funeral Home, 34 Main Street, Centerbrook, with a graveside service to follow at Riverside Cemetery in Essex. We invite all who knew and loved Eileen to join us in honoring the remarkable life of a woman who was deeply loved and will be profoundly missed.

“Rest in peace, Eileen. Your beautiful spirit will forever remain in the hearts of those who were fortunate enough to know you.”