Lois KWIST

YORKTOWN - Lois "Eileen" Kwist, 66, passed away on Thursday, Dec. 3, 2009 at the York Convalescent Center with her family by her side.
Born at Langley Field, Va., Eileen grew up at various military installations, where her family was stationed. The only daughter of John G. Rankin and Lois V. Rankin, Eileen graduated from Lake Charles High School in Shreveport, La., and subsequently attended and graduated from Washburn University in Topeka, Kan. She went on to the University of Pittsburgh, where she obtained her masters degree in library science. She spent two years as an Army civilian librarian in Aschaffenburg, Germany, before accepting a commission in the United States Air Force. Her Air Force career took her to Altus, Okla., and Dover, Del., where she met her husband, Garry. Eileen and Garry were married en route to Korat, Thailand, and subsequently served at Rhein Main, AB Germany. While in Germany, she and Garry were blessed by the birth of their daughter, Meghan. Eileen raised her family in Anchorage, Alaska, Fairfax, Va., and Westford, Mass., before returning to Tidewater Virginia. A 19-year resident of Yorktown, Eileen was active in helping to manage her husband's business as well as her neighborhood stitching and bunco groups.
She was preceded in death by her parents John G. and Lois V. Rankin; and her brothers, John and Scott Rankin.
Eileen's Air Force officer roots ran deep, as her service followed her father's career and preceded those of her brothers, Scott and Kevin. The next Air Force generation is led by nephew, First Lieutenant John Rankin of Cheyenne, AFB, Wyo.
She is survived by her beloved husband of 35 years, Garry R. Kwist; her daughter, Meghan Bohn and husband, Jason M. of Peoria, Ill.; her brother, Kevin Rankin of Beaver Creek, Ohio; nieces, nephews; and very special friends, Susan Rankin of Chester, Md., and Melody Rankin of Norman, Okla. She will be especially missed by all of her friends in the Running Man community.
The family will receive friends at 7 p.m. Monday, at Claytor Rollins Funeral Home, Poquoson, and at 7:30 p.m., a time of sharing memories in "Eileen's Honor" concluding by 8:30 p.m. Eileen will be inurned in the columbarium in Arlington National Cemetery in the spring.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks you to consider donations to the American Cancer Society, 11835 Canon Blvd., Suite A 102, Newport News, VA 23606 or the Poquoson Public Library, 500 City Hall Avenue, Poquoson, VA 23662.
Online condolences to www.claytorrollins.com View and post condolences on our online guestbook at dailypress.com/guestbooks.