Eileen T. (Wilson) McGillicuddy, 96, of Watchung, New Jersey passed away Friday, January 5, 2024. Born in Boston, Eileen was a daughter of the late Walter F. Wilson and Margaret Mary (Sullivan) Wilson. She lived most of her life in Dorchester, MA, West Caldwell, NJ and Baltimore, MD. She was a US Marine Corps wife, so she also lived on or near several bases in Quantico, VA, Parris Island, SC, Portsmouth, VA and the Philadelphia Navy Yard.

Eileen loved the city of Boston and met her future husband Paul while working at the Boston Public Library.  Even though the Marine Corps life had her moving frequently, she always enjoyed getting back to Boston to visit the McGillicuddy and Wilson families.  Some of her favorite hobbies were crocheting, enjoying Snoopy comics, reading, solving crossword puzzles, contract bridge, bird-watching (especially eagles), bowling and writing poetry.  She was a tireless chronicler of family life and was very creative in producing family histories, travelogues and photo journals.  She was so devoted to capturing the right moments on family trips that she ended up not being in many of these great photos! She was most passionate about documenting the adventures of her grandchildren and she created a custom book for each grandchild.  Each summer at the New Jersey Shore, Eileen would unveil her latest "grandma gimmick" for the ever-growing number of grandchildren.  These would consist of hand-made beach towels, sweatshirts, T-shirts and many other items that she made during the winter in anticipation of the family vacation.  Her favorite winter activity was spending time in the Florida sunshine.  She would photograph every type of wildlife she could during her months there.

For over 25 years, Eileen participated in Project Linus, which provides hand-made blankets to children in need. She loved to crochet these blankets and donated hundreds of them during that time.  She was also a very generous supporter of the St. Jude Children's Research Hospital. Eileen was very proud of her Irish and English heritage and traveled across the Atlantic as often as she could. Her most adventurous trip was a whirlwind tour of Europe that included Ireland, England, Germany, Austria and Switzerland.  Eileen was most proud of the family that she and Paul raised and leaves behind an incredible legacy of six children, eighteen grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren.

Eileen is predeceased by her loving husband of 71 years, Paul, her brother Walter Wilson and her sisters Mary (Wilson) Waters and Patricia (Wilson) Venezia. Eileen is survived by her six children and spouses, Brian & Nancy McGillicuddy, Owen & Pat McGillicuddy, Lynne & Greg Douglas, Mark & Diane McGillicuddy, Anne & Steve Dyer and Karen & Kevin Cook.

There will be a Funeral Mass at Holy Name Parish, 1689 Centre Street, West Roxbury, MA on Saturday, January 13, 2024 at 11:30 a.m.

Eileen's funeral mass will be available via Livestream by clicking the link below.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital ( www.stjude.org ) in Memphis, Tennessee.