Eileen Cardogno

Eileen McCoy Cardogno, 91, resident of Windsor, Maine, long time resident of Douglas, MA. Eileen was born May 21, 1934, in Manhattan, New York City to parents Thomas McCoy and Mary Kirby McCoy. She was raised in the Bronx with her younger "Irish twin" brother Thomas F. McCoy. She was surrounded growing up by loving aunts Helen Kirby and Theresa Holodniuk as well as her Uncle Stanley Holodniuk. The family moved to Providence RI where Eileen attended Saint Michael's and then Classical High School. After her marriage to Raymond Cardogno in 1953, her first 2 children Maryanne and Raymond were born in Providence RI, and after moving to Hopedale MA, the family grew to include Christine and Kevin. Eileen worked at Metropolitan Life and was chosen to be first woman underwriter in the company's history. She was manager and co-owner of her husband Ray's floor and janitorial service and later Winding Brook Family Campground in Douglas MA. Eileen is remembered for her keen mind, and she left no detail to chance. She excelled at whatever she put her hand to including her time as realtor for Caldwell Banker. She continued in property management until her retirement at age 86 when she moved to Maine with her son Kevin. Kevin was her dedicated caregiver, and he saw to every loving detail until her passing on Nov 14, 2025, in the home they shared with Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, Daisy, and cat, Hunter.

Eileen's many decades of volunteer work earned her recognition as a recipient of the Massachusetts Commission of the Status of Women's Unsung Heroine Award presented at the State house to honor her, who quietly, without fanfare or other recognition made her community a better place. Eileen's volunteer work included leading osteo stress training classes for Douglas seniors and serving Meals on Wheels. Eileen started a bereavement ministry at Saint Denis church which assisted hundreds of families. She also served the parish as a eucharistic minister, lector, altar server, and as president of Catholic Women's Council and organizer of the annual Seder supper.

Eileen is survived by daughter Maryanne Colonero, son Raymond Cardogno and partner Cathleen Smith, daughter Christine Cheney and husband David, son Kevin Cardogno, niece and goddaughter Dr. Maureen Harkevy, nephew Brian McCoy, and former husband Raymond Cardogno.

Her grandchildren are: Randy Colonero and wife Erica, Sarah Vartabedian, Kate Lariviere and husband Jaron, Joy DeMoraes and husband Sergio, Christine McCallum and husband Pat, Grace Cardogno and husband David LaJoie, Mariel Petkauskos and husband Nick, Rachel Cardogno, Bethany Cardogno, Timothy Cheney and partner Margaret Larson, Michael Cheney and wife Courtney.

Her great-grandchildren are: Greta, Julia, Peter, Rocco, Rex, Mazie, Mila, Logan, Jenson, David, Hannah, Sarah, Jonathan, Bria, Audrey, Ada, Maggie, James, and Violet.

Eileen was very close to her Irish cousins Jim and Martina Healy, Christine O'Driscoll and their families. She enjoyed joyful visits with them in Ireland and America. Eileen enjoyed playing cribbage and Soduko. She collected McCoy pottery. She avidly followed the Boston Celtics and the Red Sox.

Her famous quote: "We are off like a herd of turtles….God bless our trip."

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Thursday, December 11th at noon at Saint Denis Catholic Church, 23 Manchaug St. Douglas, MA followed by interment at St. Denis Cemetery. All are welcome to gather for a luncheon and a time of remembrance in the fellowship hall following interment.