Eileen A. (McDonnell) Ryan – Aug. 28

Eileen A. (McDonnell) Ryan of New Rochelle, New York, passed away on Aug. 28, 2018. She was 79 years old.

She was born on April 6, 1939, to the late Michael McDonnell and Nora McDonnell. Eileen graduated as class president from St. Helena’s High School located in the Bronx. Shortly after her graduation, she began a career as a secretary. In 1961, Eileen married John  D. Ryan, Jr. and they eventually settled in Pelham, New York, to raise their three children, Maureen, John III and Patricia.

When Eileen returned to the workforce, she did so as the executive secretary to the president of Tishman Realty & Construction and, after a decade, went to work at Bristol Myers Squibb as a benefits administrator, from which she retired.

Eileen was very proud she attended college later in life. At the age of 62, she graduated from Iona College in 2001, receiving a Bachelor of the Arts in psychology and was on the Dean’s List. Eileen also spent time volunteering at the New Rochelle Hospital, and she was a parishioner at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church. She loved to play bridge and spending time with her family and friends.

Eileen is survived by her three children, Maureen A. Ryan (Rick Siegel), John D. Ryan III, Patricia R. Greene (Robert L. Greene); her three grandchildren, Ryan A. Greene, Connor L. Greene and John D. Ryan IV, and her siblings, Michael McDonnell and Maureen Anderson, and many nieces and nephews. She is predeceased by her brother, Kevin McDonnell, and sister, Philomena Lynch.

A celebration of Eileen’s life will take place at the Pelham Funeral Home, located at 64 Lincoln Ave., Pelham, New York, on Friday, Aug. 31, 2018, from 4 to 8 p.m. A Mass of Christian Burial will take place at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church, 575 Fowler Ave., Pelham Manor, New York, on Saturday, Sept. 1, 2018, at 10 a.m.  Interment will follow at Gate of Heaven Cemetery located in Hawthorne, New York. For more information or to leave a condolence, please visit www.pelhamfuneral.com. In lieu of flowers, the family has asked for donations in Eileen Ryan’s name to be made to NYU Langone Hospital.