Eileen P. Monaghan

Eileen P. Monaghan
Eileen P. Monaghan, a longtime New Milford resident who had been active in local government and civic organizations, died July 8 in Danbury Hospital after a brief illness.
Born Feb. 14, 1945, in Bayside, NY, she was the daughter of the late William J. and Mary (Coyle) Quinn – and the youngest of two sets of twins. Educated at St. Robert Bellarmine Elementary School and The Mary Louis Academy, she earned a bachelor's degree in education from St. John's Univ. and a master's degree in reading from the Western Connecticut State College.
Originally an elementary school teacher, she and her husband, Gerard, took over a faltering professional association in 1981 and grew the Association of Bridal Consultants from one member to almost 5,000 in 32 countries, becoming an internationally recognized leader in the wedding industry. They worked together for 25 years and, through the business, taught seminars all 50 states, most Canadian provinces and 13 countries before retiring in 2006. In total, they had visited 77 countries and all seven continents.
Eileen came to New Milford in 1968 and became involved with Friends in Service Here (FISH), the Northville Homemakers Association, the Jaycee Wives (and as "First Lady" of the Jaycees), the New Milford Garden Club (for a time as president) and Camp Jonathan, which served children who had suffered a traumatic loss. In 2003, she joined other concerned residents to form New Milford First, an alternative political party.
After attending a ballet class for 28 years, she and Gerard took ballroom dance lessons for another 15. They also enjoyed New York Pops Carnegie Hall concerts for more than 15 years.
"People often thought we were joined at the hip," Gerard said, "but, when you love your partner, you want to do as much as possible together."
As a member of the St. Bonaventure Univ. Journalism Advisory Panel, she helped plan the journalism school's 50th anniversary.
Active in St. Francis Xavier Church, she served as a Eucharistic Minister and religious educator. In town government, she served on the Board of Education and the high school building committee, as well as on various other committees including the Library Board of Trustees. She also worked with Literacy Volunteers on the Green, using her knowledge and experience as a reading teacher. While serving as fund-raising chair for New Milford Refugee Resettlement, she opened her home to an Afghan refugee for more than 15 months.
She and Gerard served for eight years as co-presidents of the Merryall Center for the Arts, shepherding it though a $225,000 renovation and bringing enrichment, entertainment and enlightenment to the Litchfield Hills.
Never satisfied with the status quo, she and Gerard converted a derelict pre-1830s barn into a solar house, doing much of the work themselves. In retirement, they largely renovated a ranch house, with the final project creating a "grandchild cave." She was a talented designer with an incredible design and color sense, which she put to use making her home beautiful for her family. Smugglers Notch Resort in Vermont also benefited from this talent as she led a team redesigning her condo complex.
Eileen continued skiing for more than 58 years in almost 50 ski areas, missing only two years because of pregnancies. She found her peace in her many gardens and wants to be remembered as one who spent her life helping others, especially her four children and nine grandchildren, in whom she took great pride.
She is survived by Gerard, her husband of more than 44 years, their children, Edward Film (Cedric Harper) of Boston, Doris Wickiser (Kenneth) of Cornwall-on-Hudson, NY, Brenna Behel(Steve) of Yorktown, VA, and Sean Monaghan of New Milford; and nine grandchildren, Aidan, Kyle and Erika Monaghan, Kieran, Bridget and Anna Wickiser, and Beckett, Tai and Kellan Behel; and her brother, Robert Quinn. Her sister, Maureen Quinn, and two brothers, William and Richard, predeceased her.
A Mass of Christian Burial and celebration of her life and accomplishments will take place at St. Francis Xavier Church at 10 a.m. July 19. In lieu of flowers, contributions to Hour Children, 36-11 12th St., Long Island City, NY 11106, would be appreciated. This organization helps incarcerated mothers.
The Lillis Funeral Home, 58 Bridge St., New Milford, CT is in charge of arrangements.