Eileen C. Abele

We sadly announce the death of Eileen C. (nee Harrington) Abele, 97 years old of West Chester, PA, who passed away on Wednesday, June 5, 2024 at Arbor Terrace in Exton.  She was one day shy of her 98th birthday.

Eileen was born June 6, 1926 in Johnstown, PA.  She was the daughter of the late Sheridan Harrington and the late Ellen (nee McNally) Harrington.

Eileen grew up in Johnstown and then in Harrisburg, PA, graduating from Bishop McDevitt in 1944.  She attended nursing school at Mercy Hospital in Pittsburgh, PA, earning her license as a Registered Nurse.  She worked as a nurse before she married and then once her children were in school, she worked for the old Memorial Hospital in West Chester.  In 1967, she began working as the school nurse at Garnet Valley High School and remained there until she “retired” in 1986.  Eileen earned both her Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees at West Chester State College.

Eileen married Raymond P. Abele on September 10, 1949 and they lived in Brookhaven, PA, before moving to West Chester in 1960.  Eileen celebrated her 65th wedding anniversary with Ray before his death in 2014.  She enjoyed raising her six children and the many activities they all participated in.  Camping was one of the activities and Eileen was a founding member of the Brandywine Campers.  She was able to make a tent, pop-up camper, or trailer feel like home.

Bicycling became one of her hobbies in the 1970’s.  She participated in organized rides across Pennsylvania and she organized her own biking trips.  She took several family members on a bike trip through Nova Scotia and joined her sister, Cait, on a trip down the west coast from Seattle to San Diego.

Another passion of hers was sewing.  Eileen started sewing in junior high school and became an accomplished seamstress, sewing well into her 90’s.  She made several items of clothing for herself and her children.  She also knitted numerous items for all of her children (and others) – hats, mittens, sweaters, and baby blankets.  She learned quilting and enjoyed making quilts for several of her children and grandchildren.

Eileen remained ever strong in her devotion to her Catholic faith.  She and her family were members of Our Lady of Charity in Brookhaven, then St. Agnes in West Chester.  Once that parish expanded, she belonged to SS. Simon & Jude, also in West Chester.  She was a cantor and altar server at both St. John’s and St. Agnes while she lived in Naples, FL.  Back in West Chester, she belonged to SS. Peter & Paul Catholic Church.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Ray in 2014, her son, Tom in 2015, and all five of her siblings.  Eileen is survived by her other five children:  Dennis and his wife, Isabel, of Madrid, Spain; Richard and his wife, Linda, of Enola, PA;Raymond, Jr., of West Chester; Maliya Piergalline and her husband, John, of West Chester; and Maureen, of Atlantic, VA.  In addition, Eileen is survived by her 12 grandchildren, 14 great-grandchildren, and numerous nieces and nephews.

Relatives and friends are invited to her visitation on Wednesday, June 12, 2024 from 10:00 am -11:00 am at SS. Peter & Paul Church, 1325 E. Boot Rd. West Chester, PA  19380, followed by her Funeral Service at 11:00.  Interment will be at St. Agnes Cemetery, West Chester, PA.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to The Epilepsy Foundation

Arrangements by DellaVecchia, Reilly, Smith & Boyd Funeral Home, Inc. of West Chester, PA; 610-696-1181; www.DellaFH.com