Obituary of Eileen A. O'Neill

Born to Agnes & Charles O’Neill on Feb. 27, 1931, Eileen was one of ten children who was raised and resided the remainder of her life on Clearview Avenue in Pine Hill, NJ. Eileen attended Overbrook High School and married her husband Stanley Drinkwater, Jr. in September 1952. Of that marriage Eileen had two sons, Stanley and Patrick Drinkwater who are seven years apart. Stanley is married to Lisa and resides in Atco, NJ, and Patrick, who resides in Haddonfield, NJ, has three children, Jillian, Patrick and Nelson, who each have a child, Peyton, Patrick, and Emberlyn with a fourth grandchild only weeks away and to be named in Eileen’s honor. Eileen spent her life as a mother and homemaker and had a special love for crafts and sewing. It was said she could take anything old and make it look new and beautiful again! She also had a fascination for learning anything new, studying such subject matters from Transcendental Meditation, Palmistry, and Yoga. Eileen earned her high school degree at the age of 60 always in search of new knowledge. Her son Pat took her and their family to Ireland to visit relatives, the Kennedy family, fulfilling her dream of associating with her Irish heritage and seeing her mother’s homestead. Every Sunday, in the classic Irish tradition, Eileen’s breakfast table was open to all relatives and friends. You would find yourself lucky to have a seat at the table enjoying the conversation, debate and laughter that is rarely found today. This was her parents’ tradition which she kept alive. From morning to afternoon the table would rotate with new faces and tasty treats. Eileen had an insatiable interest in our local history. She indulged her fascination by keeping scrap books of local events and was a member of the Pine Hill Historical Society where she maintained a list of the local Obituiaries. Proudly, she was the best representative and sales person for her brother, Al O’Neill and his wife Shirley’s historical perspective “The People of Pine Hill.” Eileen, her mother, and several of her brothers and sisters occupy the front cover. Eileen is survived by five of her siblings, John O’Neill of Franklin, Texas, Aloysius O’Neill of Pine Hill, New Jersey, Larry O’Neill of Riverside, NJ, Peggy O’Neill of Pine Hill, NJ and Joan Smith of DE. Eileen is to be remembered by her friends and family for the love, candor, affection and joy she gave with whomever was fortunate enough to share her day. When you spoke with Eileen, you could always count on the truth and that it be delivered in a direct and loving way. She lived in non-judgment and will be truly missed. If you were to ask her on any given day what was the best time of her life, her response would always be, “now.” We will miss you Mom everyday in every way, Stan and Pat A Celebration of Eileen's life will be held at Knight Funeral Home, 14 Rich Ave, Berlin, Friday, August 7th at 12:00pm where family and friends may call at 11:00am.