Obituary of Eileen M. Callahan

Eileen M. Callahan (née Cromie), a longtime Nutley and Mt. Arlington resident, passed away peacefully surrounded by the love of her children on Friday, May 24, 2024. She was 92.

Eileen leaves behind her five devoted children, James Callahan and his wife Janice, Thomas Callahan, Kathleen Reidy and her husband Michael, Denise Gueterman and her husband Ronald, and Linda Kohli and her husband Gary; six cherished grandchildren, Daniel, Jacquelyn (Daniel), Kimberly (Michael), Ronald, Michael, and Erica; two treasured great-grandchildren, Logan and Audrey; and many dear friends.

She was preceded in death by her beloved husband of 35 years, Cornelius J. Callahan on March 2, 1989; her infant daughter, Maureen Callahan; and two infant sisters.

Eileen was born in Newark on March 4, 1932, to the late Thomas J. and Margaret Cromie (née Carlin). She was raised in Harrison and attended Holy Cross School and Queen of Peace High School. She went on to complete her undergraduate degree at Jersey City Teacher’s College and obtained her master’s degree from Montclair State University. Eileen adored children and was honored to be able to teach K-8 special education at schools in Cedar Grove, Nutley, and Montclair.

Eileen met her future husband Cornelius at a dance at St. Peter’s College. The couple married on June 26, 1954, and settled in Nutley to raise their family. Eileen doted on her children and always made them her number one priority. She was very involved in their extracurricular activities and was the head of CCD as well as a girl scout and cub scout leader. Eileen was a caregiver to many including her parents, aunts, and her husband when he fell ill.

Cornelius and Eileen enjoyed travelling, camping, and fishing together and owned motorhomes. After her husband’s passing, Eileen moved to Mt. Arlington where she became a member of a few different RV clubs and was very involved in the Mt. Arlington Senior Club. She was a world traveler and visited multiple continents. She also enjoyed taking cruises.

Eileen was a devout Catholic as well as an extraordinary mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother. Her family will deeply miss her feisty personality, but they take comfort in knowing that she is with the Lord.

Relatives and friends are kindly invited to attend the memorial mass for Eileen held on Thursday, June 20, 2024, at 10:00 AM at St. Vincent Martyr Church, 26 Green Village Road, Madison. Those who are unable to attend in person may attend the mass virtually by visiting www.svmnj.org and following instructions for live-stream mass viewing.

Interment will be held privately for the family.

In lieu of flowers, charitable contributions may be made in Eileen’s name to Community Hope Inc, 959 Route 46 East, Suite 402, Parsippany, NJ 07054.