Eileen V. O'Connell

O'CONNELL Eileen V. O'Connell of Stratford, went to rest in the Lord Saturday, July 18, 2009 at St. Joseph Living Center in Windham. She was born in Bridgeport, April 7, 1924 to the late James and Sheila (Julia) Patterson O'Connell, both natives of Ireland. Eileen worked for the Southern New England Telephone Company during World War II and would regale her family with stories of her experiences and travels during that time. She was employed for many years by Buckley Brothers/Shell Oil in Bridgeport where she worked as the service department dispatcher and manager. She later worked as a receptionist for Mechanics and Farmers Bank on Main Street in Bridgeport until her retirement in 1986. Eileen will be well remembered for her tremendous work ethic and dedication to her family, her devotion to the Catholic faith, and her pride in her Irish roots. She was an ardent believer in women attaining higher levels of education in order to compete in the work force, and this was the legacy she passed on to her daughter and granddaughters. Eileen is survived by her daughter and son-in-law, Johanna and Frank Reilly of Willimantic; her granddaughters, Eileen Reilly and her husband, John McGrath of Co. Tipperary, Ireland, Meghann Reilly and her fiancé, Patrick Shouvlin of Milford, and Caitlin Reilly of South Windham; and her great-granddaughter Meabh McGrath. She is also survived by her sister. Kathleen Staneko of Stratford. Eileen was "Auntie Leenie" to many nieces and nephews, great-nieces and nephews and great-great nieces and nephews. Besides her parents, she was predeceased by her sister, Ann on July 17, 2009 and by her beloved siblings, Marion Finnegan, Eleanor Flood, Sheila Griffin, and Richard, James and John O'Connell.Friends are invited to attend the funerals of Eileen and her sister, Ann Sinnott, Tuesday, July 21, 2009 at 9:15 a.m. in the Pistey Funeral Home, 2155 Main Street, Stratford and at 10 a.m. at St. Ambrose Church with a Mass of Christian Burial. Interment in St. Michael Cemetery. Friends may call Monday from 4 to 8 p.m.