EILEEN TYE

TYE, Eileen Philanthropist Eileen Tye of Cambridge and Cape Cod has died. She was 81. Eileen spent the last 15 years of her life fighting various types of cancer, yet never dwelled on the burdens she faced - she was focused on the present - inspiring others with her positive energy, humor and strength. A former educator and businesswoman she also earned a Ph.D. in Nutrition and a Doctoral Degree in Naturopathic Medicine. Eileen and her late husband, A. Raymond Tye, supported nearly every charitable organization in the Boston area and beyond. In 2000, she founded the Ray Tye Medical Aid Foundation, in honor of her husband and together, they helped save the lives of thousands of people from around the world by funding urgent, life-saving medical and surgical care. She served as President of that Foundation until her death. In the 1960s, she was Vice President of Sales for an architectural firm in Boston and later served for several years as Senior Assistant to Boston Mayor, Kevin H. White. Afterwards, she started a successful event planning service, catering to local sports figures and celebrities. She then served a tenure of over 20 years as the Vice President of Development for the world's preeminent retina surgeon and scientist, Dr. Charles L. Schepens, where she raised millions of dollars to support groundbreaking medical research. She also launched her own business, called Medical Nutrition Associates, in the 1980s, a nutrition counseling and health-related practice, serving providers and private patients with offices in the Boston area and New York City. In her post-professional life, Eileen became a master gardener, philanthropist and author and was able to pursue all her passionate interests in-depth while sharing her gifts and talents with others. She built, owned and operated Justamere Farm, a local New Seabury hotspot for organic produce for over 30 years. Her "swoon-worthy" heirloom tomatoes and lettuces were sought after by friends and neighbors alike. Every morning, she left a table of her produce at the edge of the garden with a sign that said, "Enjoy my bounty and do something especially nice for someone else today", by 9:00 am the table was always empty. She was an enthusiastic orchid grower who cared for hundreds of award-winning specimens in her Cape Cod greenhouses. Over decades, she donated her time chairing multiple charitable events for causes that she and Ray were devoted to, while also serving on the boards of several non-profits as an advisor. Throughout her life, Eileen wrote and published countless articles on academic and general interest topics that she was fascinated by and she also self-published several books, including the most recent, "Le Mem-Whaa", a humorous account of her life, relating among other things, her not exactly legal ascent to the top of Mt. Everest in a helicopter. Affectionately known as a "walking encyclopedia", she was a reliable source of advice, perspective and instruction in matters ranging from personal relationships, health issues and business, to gardening and cooking a gourmet meal. Her pursuit of in-depth knowledge of the world around her never waned; she was fascinated by and studied everything. Eileen could always be counted on to counsel her loved ones with care and to amuse them with her irreverent sense of humor. Most of all, she freely shared her inexhaustible gift of empathy. When out with friends, she predictably enjoyed a "bone dry", ice cold martini and she was a vibrant presence at fine restaurants, sporting events and local galas. She was an excellent cook and a flawless hostess; her parties were legendary. She never stopped entertaining, but most recently, she found joy in hosting smaller, quieter gatherings in her home. Eileen is survived by her beloved daughter, Lauren Cronin (Tom); and their children, Annie, John and Maggie. She is also survived by her sisters, Anne Schumacher, Margaret O'Toole and Kathleen Gale; stepchildren, James Tye, Carol Rose, Mark Tye and Randy O'Brien. She was the cherished grandmother of Molly and Conor O'Brien, Annie, John and Maggie Cronin, Lucas Barbosa Correa, Rosalyn Tye; and great-grandmother to Julia Tye Marques Barbosa Correa. She was a treasured aunt to many nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by the love of her life, Ray Tye; sister, Mary Patricia O'Toole; brother, Richard O'Toole; and stepson, Michael Tye. There will be a jubilant Celebration of Life for Eileen in the Chapel at Chapman Funeral Home, 74 Algonquin Avenue, Route 151, MASHPEE, MA, on Wednesday, July 24, at 1:00pm. Instead of sending flowers, Eileen asked that you spread kindness upon this earth and do something especially nice for someone less fortunate. For live-streaming of the service, please visit the following link https://streampros.net/ccgMashpee

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