EILEEN M. BIERMANN

BIERMANN EILEEN McKENNA BIERMANN April 22, 1919 - November 11, 2014 Eileen McKenna Biermann, aged 95, passed away peacefully at her home in Goodwin House-Alexandria on November 11, 2014. Eileen will be remembered by those who knew her as an elegant lady with a beautiful smile and laughing Irish eyes. Eileen was born to Arthur and Geraldine McKenna on April 22, 1919, in Richmond Hill, Queens, NY. She graduated from John Adams High School where she was a champion swimmer and theatre actress. She studied economics at the City College of New York and worked as executive secretary to Charles J. Symington of the Symington-Gould Corporation, a railroad parts manufacturer that converted to the production of tanks parts during World War II. She married Lt. Harold George Biermann on September 21, 1946, and moved to the DC area where he was attached to the Navy Department; later he was a labor attorney with the U.S. Department of Labor and the National Labor Relations Board. They were living in Parkfairfax, Alexandria, when their first child, Melanie, was born. They later moved to Belle Haven, Alexandria, and welcomed two more children, Bonnie and James. Hal Biermann, Director of Industrial Relations for Capital Airlines, died suddenly in 1960 at age 44, leaving Eileen to raise her three young children. She returned to work and became Director of Conventions, Membership, and Administration for the National Association of Small Business Investment Companies (NASBIC), a DC-based association representing small business and venture capital interests. She retired in 1985. Eileen was a long-time member of Belle Haven Country Club (BHCC) where she was an avid tennis player, bowler, dancer, bridge player, and golfer. She was chair of the BHCC Ladies' Nine-Hole Golf Association and continued to enjoy playing golf until she was 85 years old. Eileen served as a docent for the Smithsonian Institution in "The Castle" and was a volunteer at the Arena Stage and the annual PGA Kemper Open Golf Tournament in the 1980s. Eileen also enjoyed traveling; her journeys and cruises took her throughout the US (including Alaska and Hawaii), Europe, and the Caribbean. She especially enjoyed chaperoning students from McLean High School, with her teacher-daughter, Melanie, to Spain, Italy, and Greece. A lifelong Roman Catholic, Eileen was an active member of St. Mary's Church in Old Town Alexandria for more than 50 years. She was instrumental in the founding of Post-Cana, a social and support organization for widowed Catholics. Her daughter, Bonnie, was permanently disabled by a brain tumor at age 13; thereafter, Eileen advocated for services for disabled individuals. Eileen is survived by her daughter, Dr. Melanie J. Biermann (Martin I. Younker) of Free Union, Albemarle County, VA, and her son, James A. Biermann (Pam) of Fayetteville, NC. She also leaves two dear grandchildren, Alexander J. Biermann and Kelly J. Biermann, of Fayetteville, NC, and two special nephews, Brian P. McKenna of Ventura, CA and Dennis S. McKenna of San, Jose, CA. Her daughter, Bonnie Biermann, died in 1998. The Rev. J. Bruce Stewart will lead memorial services at Goodwin House-Alexandria, 4800 Fillmore Street, Alexandria, VA 22311, on Monday, December 15, 2014, at 3:30 p.m. A reception will follow. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be sent to the Goodwin House Foundation at the above address or Handicapped Encounter Christ (HEC) in care of Mr. Bill Meyer, 5401 Clifton Street, Springfield, VA 22151. Eileen will be buried at Arlington National Cemetery with her husband and daughter at a later date. Online condolences may be made at: www.legacy.com