Eileen K. O’Brien
Age 78, passed away on Thursday, December 10, 2020. Eileen was born on October 26, 1942, in Stockbridge, MI. Eileen spent most of her life in East Lansing, MI. Preceded in death by her parents, George and Doris Gould of Jackson, and her late husband Thomas O’Brien of East Lansing, MI.
In Eileen’s early life she was an office administrator at Burroughs Co/Standard Register.
During her time there she was the recipient of a top performance award trip to Palm Springs, CA.
Eileen loved to travel mostly to visit her daughters and grandchildren whom she adored. These travels took her to Phoenix, AZ, where her daughter Carla Rice lived most of her adult life, and to Boston & NYC to visit her 2nd daughter Pam Hughes. She also visited Pam and her husband Bertrand Douxami in Paris, France. One of her most cherished trips was to Bethlehem and Jerusalem, Israel, with her church group. Eileen also loved to sing and play music. Her favorite song was “Goodnight Irene” which, of course, she sang as “Goodnight Eileen.”
She is survived by her brother and sister-in-law, William & Peggy Gould of Las Vegas, NV; her sister, LuAnn Ivory of Ely, NV; her daughters, Carla Rice and husband Chris Rice of Phoenix, AZ, and Pam Hughes and husband Bertrand Douxami of Ann Arbor, MI; her grandchildren, Tiffany, Lauren & Henri; along with her niece and nephews.
Eileen spent the later part of her life in loving care of her friends and extended “family” at Vista Springs Timber Ridge. She called Erin “Erwin” Bishop one of her caretakers her best friend. A heartfelt and sincere thanks to all of them and to hospice for their loving care of Eileen during her courageous battle with dementia.
A memorial service will be held on Wednesday, December 16, 2020, at 1:00 p.m., at the Estes-Leadley Greater Lansing Chapel. Her family will receive friends and relatives from 5-6 p.m. on Tuesday, December 15th and beginning at 11:00 a.m. on Wednesday. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Care Team Home Health and Hospice.
4 Messages to “Eileen K. O’Brien”
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Patricia French
December 14, 2020 at 12:13 pmIn past years, I use to pick Eileen up and we would go to Brookshire Inn in Williamston for a luncheon and speaker once a month. We did other things together too, like craft shows and visiting a friend. She liked to come to my home in Dimondale to see my lighthouse collection. My husband, Erwin, helped to clean up fallen branches around her swimming pool. She would often call me to read bible verses to me or to have me watch a program that she was watching. I have not been in contact with her in recent years as my husband had a stroke in 2014 and has been in a wheelchair since that time. He is now in Sparrow Hospital with covid-19 and the future is not certain at this time. I am 89 and in quarantine so will not be able to attend the memorial service. She also had shown me the grave site of her late husband, Tom.
Pam Hughes
December 14, 2020 at 7:00 pmThat is such a lovely rememberance of her. Thank you so much! And I wish you hope and health and prayers! Thank you so much for your message Patricia. You will be there with us in spirit.
Bill Gould
December 14, 2020 at 10:24 pmI remember many times that I teased and pestered Eileen for which I was punished by our dad. One that I remember most was when I put a pitchfork in a pile of burning leaves on Carr St.,and got the tines red hot. I then swung it around and hit Eileens legs. It left severe burns and scars. Yes I got a major whipping for that. There were many more incidents, but she still loved me and I loved her as well. I always called her “sister” instead of Eileen. May she rest in peace in Heaven. I WILL MISS HER ALWAYS!!!
Love “Brother Bill”.
Janet Richards
December 22, 2020 at 4:10 pmI just heard of cousin Eileen’s passing and I am so sorry. Due to our distance and her declining health I hadn’t seen her in quite some time. However, in the earlier years I remember visits with her and she would always greet me with great enthusiasm and made a big fuss over me. She made me feel very special. I will always remember her for that.