EILEEN MORRIS

Eileen Bette Morris, age 89, of Maple Park, IL, passed away Monday, January 8, 2024, surrounded by the love and prayers of her family. Her hardworking and dedicated hands now at rest, Eileen now works the Heavens into her cross stitches to the delight of all the angels.

She was born March 9, 1934, in Chicago, to her father Peter who was a mounted policeman for Chicago whose presence filled her with awe, love and admiration. Her mother, Mabel doted on her and her older sister Mae, making their house a home and teaching them all the pearls of wisdom her heart contained, not the least of which, learning how to sew, which followed Eileen the rest of her life. Grief came to call during her 16^th year when Eileen’s father passed away, bringing weight to her grief, but a hallowed shine to his memory.

Eileen grew up in Chicago and attended local schools. After her father died, she went to work at a local department store for 16 cents per hour. An iron clad foundation of hard work, love and appreciation was laid before she graduated from Lake View High School. She continued her education at secretary school and worked in the city before a man fresh from the service changed her life.

A whirlwind courtship landed Eileen and George Morris at the altar on May 21, 1955, after which followed a night to remember. Supported by a backdrop of a five-piece band, Eileen and George danced to the beat and instead of following the tradition of the time, where the bride and groom left the reception after the first dance, they stayed and danced the night away.

Eileen was Rainbow Girl as part of the Masonic Lodge and received the Grand Cross of Color, and faithfully served as a member of Rebecca Circle at Grace Lutheran.   

Eileen had a heart full of love for everyone. There was always room at the table and an extra serving in the kitchen for anyone lucky enough to walk through the door. Everyone was met with a smile that exuded warmth and comfort, while at the same time hinting that mischief was right around the corner. Eileen was always moving even when she sat down. If she wasn’t cooking, cleaning, preparing to host parties and more, she was busy sewing clothes and dresses, from simple school outfits to evening gowns. Her cross stitches were tapestries of beauty and full of patience that became gifts to family and friends without a hint at the painstaking time it took to create. As a girl, Eileen and her family would take in the sights and sounds of America while on vacation. That love of travel was passed down as she, George and their children would lay tracks all across the lower 48, up to Canada and took in the vistas of Alaska as well. Later, international travel took Eileen and George to Europe where they were able to celebrate the 50^th anniversary of D-Day, lazily watch the banks of the Seine River as it passed them by and make memories with every twist and turn of their itinerary. Eileen’s faith and generous spirit made for a special kind of social butterfly that would flit into many walks of life. She was intuitive, a great listener who dispensed sage advice and was a progressive thinker whose mind was always open and willing to learn. Eileen lived her life as an example to her children, showing them not only a path, but how to follow it, step by step. Her grandchildren and great-grandchildren wore her adoration like a mantle to every activity as they grew and learned from the beloved matriarch. The sparkle in her eyes never dimmed and her laugh was shiny and bright even into her last days. A great lady who was rich in all the things that counted, she never missed an opportunity to be thankful for the simple things. Everyone she knew was thankful to have known and loved her, and her spirit will live on in the hearts of all.

She now leaves her loving husband George Morris (69 years); three children: Randi Morris, Christine (Bruce) Voight and Cathy (John) Floro; 9 grandchildren: Stacie (Christopher) Savittieri, Jeffery (Sylwia) Milostan, Hannah (Dan Flores) Milostan, Lierin (Jason) Friedmann, Trevor (Emilia) Voight, Dominic Floro, Frank (Mary Kate Rosenfelder) Floro, John (Brianna Cianci) Floro and Jake Floro; 10 great-grandchildren: Fiona, Kinzer, Kuiper, Summer, Brody, Nadia, Evey, Linnea, Adeline, and Gianna; many nieces, nephews, cousins and a family of friends.

She now joins her parents, Peter and Mabel Frank, and her sister, Mae Nelson who preceded her in death.

Visitation will be from 10-12 p.m., Saturday, January 13, 2024, at Grace Lutheran Church, Lily Lake, followed by a funeral service to celebrate her life. Private family burial will follow at 3:30 p.m.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Grace Lutheran Church, 5N600 Hanson Rd, St. Charles, IL 60175. Memories and tributes may be left on the Conley Funeral Home Facebook Page, or at www.conleycare.com.