Eileen Kennedy Tonsmeire of East Marion, N.Y., passed away peacefully, surrounded by family, on March 15, 2020, at the age of 74 after a long and courageous fight with cancer.
She will be deeply missed by her husband of 52 years, James; their two sons, Brian and David; daughters-in-law, Cynthia and Sandra; beloved grandchildren, William, Dylan and Juliana; many cherished nieces and nephews; and countless friends and colleagues. She was predeceased by her dear sister, Regina Ruddock, with whom she shared a constant smile and infectious laugh.
Eileen was born in Flushing, N.Y., the second daughter of Francis and Gertrude Kennedy. She spent her youth in Garden City, N.Y., graduating from Garden City High School before receiving her bachelor’s degree at the College of New Rochelle and her master’s degree in education from Stony Brook.
Eileen taught math at Syosset High School in the town she called home for 33 years, touching and enriching the lives of many students. Upon her retirement, she moved out to the North Fork of Long Island, where she and Jim built successful second careers as real estate brokers, working as a team and perfectly complementing each other, as they did from the day they first met. In her later years, they spent their winters in Vero Beach, Fla.
Throughout her life, Eileen remained first and foremost selfless, helping others in need in any way she could. Eileen enjoyed traveling, sailing and spending time at the beaches and marveling at the natural beauty offered by both her residences, but mostly doting on her grandchildren.
A private burial will be followed later this summer by a memorial service out on her cherished North Fork. The family asks that in lieu of any other tributes, donations be made to Jack Academy, a school in Ghana founded by her nieces in the name of her adored grandnephew with the transcendent goal of breaking the cycle of poverty once and for all. Please see http://jackacademy.com.
This is a paid notice.
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