Obituary: Eileen Theresa Daily, 60; Formerly Of Madison

WEST HAVEN, CT — (From West Haven Funeral Home): Eileen Theresa Daily was born May 17, 1963, passed away peacefully on Thursday, September 21, 2023. Eileen was predeceased by the love of her life, husband and best friend of 27 years, Beautiful Bernie Daily, her parents Mary and William Connolly, in-laws Bernard and Betty Daily and precious cousin Connie Daily.

She leaves to cherish her memory her loving son Patrick, daughter-in-law Debby Smith, beloved grandsons James and Thomas Daily, sisters; Peggy Daly, Tricia Cristalli, Maureen Raucci, Nicolena Murgo, Easter Swartzentruber, devoted friends Mary Jean and Andrew Redenti, beloved Godsons Josh Redenti and Michael Daly, as well as many nieces and nephews.

Eileen grew up in the shoreline community of Madison, CT and spent her teenage summer days and nights at Lee Manor beach and boardwalk, swimming and playing backgammon with lifelong friends Meb, Linda and Debby. Eileen graduated from Our Lady of Mercy Country Day School (1977), Daniel Hand High School (1981). She graduated from St. Vincent’s School of Nursing (1993) where she was honored with the Medical Staff Award for her clinical competence and excellence in patient and family care. She accomplished this while son Patrick was a toddler.

Eileen’s talents were endless. She found immense pleasure and peace creating beautiful works of art, including pinecone wreaths, ceramic bowls, and Christmas tree centerpieces for her wedding. She also enjoyed writing poetry, designing jewelry, playing the guitar, cooking for friends and family, meditating, and traveling to Goose Rocks Beach, Maine and the Outer Banks for family vacations as well as trips to Africa, Morocco, St., Croix, California and, her most treasured trip, to Rome Italy in 2007 where she and Bernie proudly heard their son Patrick sing for the Pope at the Vatican. Eileen’s work ethic was second to none.

She worked from an early age, cleaning guest rooms at the Sisters of Mercy Retreat Center, driving the ice-cream truck at Hammonasset State Park, managing Friendly’s restaurant in Clinton, and working as an administrative assistant at Wiggin and Dana in Boston.

In addition to her paid jobs, Eileen always stepped up to help her family. When her mother was sick, she often cared for her three younger sisters. She kept track of their comings and goings, assigned and ensured their Saturday chores were completed and often shopped for clothes for herself and for her sisters. She was even Santa Claus one Christmas. It brought Eileen tremendous joy to spend her hard-earned money on Christmas presents for her family.

Her generosity was limitless. She coached her sisters’ basketball and softball teams when there were no volunteers and was a busy taxi-cab driver for her sisters when they needed rides. Her caregiving spirit eventually led to Eileen’s true calling.

Eileen worked as a registered nurse at St. Raphael’s, Verdi 5 North, and later for VNA providing home care to her community’s most vulnerable and marginalized patients. Eileen especially loved and considered it her honor and privilege to work with those less fortunate, often instilling her wisdom to improve their health and teaching basic self-care and life skills.

Eileen was a true warrior and faced many medical challenges during her short 60 years. Despite enduring many medical issues over her lifetime, she never let any diagnosis define her or slow her down. She lived her life to the fullest and enjoyed writing, traveling, cooking, and sharing time and space with those she loved. Eileen was a humble human being and would be embarrassed by any accolades.

If it were up to her, she would simply want others to know she was a nice lady who loved being a wife, mother, grandmother, sister, and nurse.

Friends are invited to a visitation on Monday, September 25, 2023, from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. at the West Haven Funeral Home. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at St. John Vianney Catholic Church, 300 Captain Thomas Blvd., West Haven CT 06516 on Tuesday September 26, 2023, at 10 a.m. Eileen’s private interment will be held at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Autism Alliance of Metrowest - 1881 Worcester Road, #100A Framingham, MA 01701.

For more information and to leave online condolences, visit West Haven Funeral Home here.