Eileen attended Holy Angels Grade School and graduated from the Academy of Notre Dame in Belleville. She attended Mount St. Scholastica College in Atchison, KS. As a young woman, she worked at the Illinois Stockyards in East St. Louis where she made lifelong friends. Mom loved her people and playing cards. Even into her later years, it was hard to beat Mom at euchre, bridge, or rummy.
On June 27, 1953, Eileen married the love of her life, E. Andrew Orlet at Holy Angels Church in East St. Louis. Andy and Eileen shared 57 years of marriage and together built a loving home. He preceded her in death in 2010.
Mom and Dad raised their family among friends on Fairview Circle. Many Sundays were spent barbecuing pork steaks and singing songs with our favorite neighbors, the Hasenstab’s.
Mom lovingly prepared dinner for twelve every night. Sitting down at the long dining room table was the best time of our day. She kept ten children fed, clothed, and in good spirits while Dad built a business. Mom made home a haven and holidays magic. We enjoyed at least twelve kinds of cookies every Christmas. She especially enjoyed family St. Patrick’s Day celebrations.
The most important things in both Mom and Dad’s lives were faith and family.
As a mother, Eileen was a source of endless love, guidance, and encouragement to her children, Kathy, Terri, Julie, Danny, Christy, Tommy (her favorite), David, Renee, Bryan, and Jimmy. She relished being at the center of the merriment and chaos created by her large, gregarious family.
In addition to her husband, Eileen was preceded in death by her brother, Thomas; her sisters-in-law, Joanne Murphy, Janet Murphy, Mary Orlet Lennens, and Joan Orlet; and her brothers-in-law, the Reverend Raymond Orlet, Bill Orlet, and Harvey Lennens.
She is survived by her brother, Jerry Murphy; a brother-in-law, Joseph Orlet, her ten children, Kate (Mark) Schuering, Terri (John) Vargo, Julie Orlet, Daniel (Sharon McMullen) Orlet, Christine Orlet, Thomas (Veronique) Orlet, David (Jayne) Orlet, Renee (Steve) Comerford, Bryan Orlet, and James (Lisa) Orlet; 33 cherished grandchildren; 32 great-grandchildren; and a host of other relatives and friends.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to St. Mary Parish, Althoff Catholic High School, or Quincy University. Condolences may be expressed to the family online at www.rennerfh.com.
Visitation: Friends may visit from 4 to 8 p.m. Monday, April 1, 2024, at St. Mary Church, Belleville, IL, and from 10 to 11 a.m. Tuesday, April 2, 2024, at the church.
Funeral: A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11 a.m. Tuesday, April 2, 2024, at St. Mary Church, Belleville, IL.
Burial will be at Green Mount Catholic Cemetery, Belleville, IL.