Eileen Kleinheinz (nee Michel) quickly passed away on February 8, 2024, days after celebrating her 91st birthday with family and staff at The Landings of Lake Gaston where she resided.
Eileen was born in New Jersey to parents, George and Edith who moved the family to Springfield, MA and later to Hyattsville, MD. Eileen and her 2 sisters Marilyn (Mannie) Hooker and Dorothy (Dottie) Hussmann grew up there and graduated from Hyattsville High School.
Eileen worked as an Executive Assistant for the Department of Railroads and later the Patent and Trade Office.
She moved from apartment to apartment keeping her roommates on their toes and at times, dishes in the bathtub.
Eileen married Jim and they began their family immediately. Patience was not her strong suit. The family grew up in Cheverly, MD where they established their lifelong friends who all eventually relocated to Chesapeake Beach, MD or nearby.
Eileen enjoyed tennis with her friends while the kids enjoyed the pool. She returned to work at St. Ambrose School where she could keep close watch on the youngest.
Her involvement with the church continued after moving to Chesapeake Beach where she taught Faith Formation, served as a Eucharistic Minister, and as a member of the Ladies of Charity at St. Anthony’s Church.
She was often spotted around town going to water aerobics and bridge.
Eileen cherished her children but especially the grandchildren and 2 great grandchildren. Holiday and Sunday dinners, pool parties and celebrations were often happening at her house. Each year she planned a family vacation for all 20+ of us in one house where everyone was required to prepare and act for the family talent show and participate in the game of choice for the evening.
After 62 years of marriage, she lost her soulmate and eventually moved to assisted living in Lake Gaston.
She had regular visitors and treasured her Pug and Baby sessions with Mark and Mary who brought Gia to sit in her lap while facetiming “her great grandbabies”.
Eileen is survived by her children, Lynn (Mike) Weiner, Lori (Wayne) Romanek, Mark (Mary) Kleinheinz, Marcia (Matt) Colender; grandchildren, Michele (John) Buckley, Erica (Jake) Meer, Matthew Romanek, Michael Kleinheinz, Matthew Kleinheinz, Alex (Amanda) Weiner, Marissa (Jake) Herritt, Nate Colender, Faith Colender, Josephine Colender; great grandchildren, Ezekiel Herritt and Summer Buckley, and her beloved pug, Gia.
A service will be held to honor her beautiful life and legacy at St. Anthony’s Catholic Church, 8816 Chesapeake Ave., North Beach, MD, 20714 on Tuesday, March 5, 2024.
The Ladies of Charity Calvert County will be leading a Rosary at 11:30 AM, followed by the Eulogy. Mass will begin at 12:00 Noon. Inurnment to follow the service at Jesus the Good Shepherd Cemetery, 1601 W. Mount Harmony RdOwings, MD, 20736.
Afterwards, please return to St. Anthony’s social hall for a reception and sharing of memories.
In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in Eileen’s memory to one of her charities.
MarCIA Courage In Action (Cancer support non-profit founded by extended family member fighting Cancer) marciacourageinaction.org
St Jude Children’s Research Hospital, stjude.org