Community Volunteer Eileen McKenna Kivlen Dies at 79

Eileen McKenna Kivlen died suddenly at her Sparta home last Saturday at the age of 79, it was reported on the website of Goble Funeral Home.
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A native of Brooklyn, N.Y., Kivlen moved to Sparta in 1957. Her family described her as a woman with a quick wit and a ready smile who was driven by a thirst for knowledge.

Kivlen spent her life giving back to her community. She was an active volunteer and worked to benefit children and the downtrodden as a member of the Sussex County Human Services Advisory Council. She also worked for the Department of Family and Children's Services in Newton.

A devout Roman Catholic, Kivlen served as a communicant of Our Lady of the Lake Church in Sparta.

Eileen is survived by her children John Kivlen of Davie, Fla., Eileen Gudelunas of Little Falls, N.Y., Elizabeth Ann Seton Boylan of Mt. Arlington, Maureen Kivlen of Newton and Catherine and Federico Arguelles of Weston, Fla.; and by nine grandchildren: Kevin, Mary Elizabeth, Daniel, Anthony, Robert Jr, Catherine, Lillian, Maria and Federico.

Arrangements were managed by Sparta's Goble Funeral Home, 22 Main St. A Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated Friday at Our Lady of the Lake Church, followed by interment in Sparta Cemetery.