On Friday February 13th 2009 Eileen M. Howell beloved wife and mother of 3 died peacefully surrounded by loving family at Windham Terrace Assisted Living Facility, in Windham NH. She was 80 years old. Daughter of the late Lena (Murphy) and Thomas Augustine “Gus” Murphy, Eileen was born in Lawrence, MA in 1928. Eileen was a 1945 graduate of St. Mary’s High School in Lawrence MA.and MacIntosh Business School. In November of 1948 she married John J. Howell (who passed away in 2006). Eileen & John shared 58 years of marriage and are now once again together in eternity.
In addition to raising 3 children, Eileen worked for the Town of Salem (NH) first as dispatcher for the Salem Police Department and then as assistant Clerk of Courts – a position she retired from in the mid 1980s.
Eileen was deeply proud of her Irish heritage, and took great joy in making Irish soda bread every March 17th from her mother’s original recipe. Corned Beef and Cabbage was never missed that day. And above all else, right to the end, Eileen was the boss.
While she was a long time resident of Salem NH, she and John retired to Florida in 1989. Together, they enjoyed 11 sunshine filled years before returning to NH in 2000 to be closer to family – For the past year Eileen was a resident of Windham Terrace Assisted Living in Windham NH.
“When a loved one becomes a memory, that memory becomes a treasure”. More words cannot express how deeply she will be missed.
She is survived by daughters Patricia Rizkallah & her husband Dave of Derry NH, Judy Worthington & her husband Don of Windham NH, son Jack Howell & his wife Kate of Haverhill MA, sister Geraldine Swift & her husband Joseph of Hampstead NH. Grandchildren Jason Shikrallah & his wife Kim of Salem NH, David M. Rizkallah of Derry NH, Adam Worthington of Windham NH, 6 great grandchildren Kayleigh, Shane and Aidan Shikrallah, Zack and Jared Demers and Kayla Rizkallah. Many cousins, nieces and nephews. Granddaughter Jennifer Rizkallah predeceased her.
Calling hours will be held Monday, Feb. 16 from 4-7 PM at Douglas & Johnson Funeral Home, 214 Main St, Salem, NH.
A funeral Mass will be celebrated Tuesday, Feb. 17 at 12:30 PM at St. Joseph Church, Salem, NH. Burial will follow in Pine Grove Cemetery, Salem, NH
Memorial contributions may be made to the American Heart Association, 2 Wall Street, Manchester, NH 03101