Eileen Marie Magnanini

Eileen Marie Magnanini, of Wallkill, NY passed away peacefully at her home surrounded by her family on June 17, 2022. She was 86 years old. She was born to the late Richard and Amelia Marchioni in Passaic, NJ. She was married to the late Galba Magnanini and she liked to tell the story of how they met and fell in love at a very young age. Eileen retired from Downstate Correctional Facility in Fishkill, NY, where she worked as a keyboard specialist for twenty years.
A Jersey Girl at heart and a social butterfly, Eileen was a great listener and secret keeper. She laughed easily and distinctively. She enjoyed live music and theater and she loved to dress in red or black. Her nails were always manicured and painted a most classic red. The only perfume she would wear was Elizabeth Arden Red Door and she was rarely caught without her signature red lipstick. If you asked how she was, it was always, "just peachy." She drank whiskey and sweet vermouth or red wine mixed with diet soda, depending on the occasion. She loved ice cream, cheeseburgers and playing cards, especially rummy. Shopping and going out to eat with friends or family were favorite pastimes. She liked to spend her time off in Florida whenever she could. She was known to have a mic ultra and a chat with her grandchildren at one o'clock in the morning from time to time. Her grilled cheese sandwiches were second-to-none. Eileen loved to talk on the phone regularly with various friends and family members. She was impressed by the little things in life, often proclaiming her characteristic, "oh wow," when you told her a story. She was strong and undeniably tough. She had many tales to tell; sharing her memories with the people that she loved gave her great happiness and joy.
After retiring, she continued to stay active with her beloved "lunch bunch" from work; she liked to go out to lunch after swimming and doing water aerobics with her friends at the Y. She kept busy watching game shows like Family Feud, along with episodes of Blue Bloods and Law & Order. She continued to talk on the phone and keep in touch with her loved ones. She spent time playing Words With Friends and she even tried to "chat" or "text" on her laptop. Even as she aged, she enjoyed writing letters and corresponding with friends in Italy. Like the true Nonna & Zia that she was, Eileen welcomed everyone into her home and she always seemed to have more than enough food, even for unexpected guests. Eileen reminded us often that "ya gotta have friends," and she always had many around her. Her easygoing attitude and perspective on life was one to be admired.
Eileen is survived by her son, Richard P. Magnanini & wife Rachel of Wallkill; her daughters, Paula Balogh & husband Mark of Montgomery, and Marlene Magnanini of Wallkill; her grandchildren Robert, David, Christopher, Kate, Claire & Jonathan, three great-grandchildren, Abigail, Hannah & Grace, her sister-in-law Anita & her brother-in-law Mike, several nieces & nephews and countless friends.
She will be remembered for her remarkable ability to roll with the proverbial punches, her fantastic, uninhibited laugh and her unbridled zest for life. She'll be sorely missed by those that were lucky enough to call her a friend and those that called her family.
Memorial Visitation will be held on Tuesday, June 28, 2022 from 12-4 PM at the Gridley-Horan Funeral Home, Inc. 39 Orchard St. Walden, NY 12586.
Services will be held at 4 PM following the visitation.
Interment of ashes will be private at New Hurley Reformed Church Cemetery in New Hurley, NY.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Wallkill Ambulance, Hudson Valley Hospice or St. Jude Children's Research Hospital.