Obituary of Eileen M O'Dea

Eileen O’Dea, a beloved mother, sister and friend, died on Thursday, January 9, 2014 at age 58 following a courageous battle with cancer. Ei, as family and friends called her, retired in December 2010 after a 33-year career with AT&T, most recently working as a travel coordinator at the corporation’s Basking Ridge offices, where her duties included dispatching drivers to provide transportation for executives. Born in Jersey City, Eileen graduated from St. Mary High School, working at first as a secretary In New York City and later in New Jersey, eventually handling transportation at AT&T. Eileen used that knowledge to take a host of trips that have given her daughter and friends a lifetime of special memories. The places to which they travelled included Oregon and the West Coast, Ixtapa, Belize, Costa Rica, Paris and Italy. She swam with sting rays and sea turtles, walked along white sandy beaches during colorful sunsets, kissed the Blarney Stone and received a papal blessing. Her favorite place, about which she often talked of eventually retiring, was Hawaii. Her last trip, with daughter Heather Nidowicz and two friends, was to the Dominican Republic in December 2012. Shortly after returning from that vacation, Eileen learned she had oral cancer. She fought with the same intensity with which she lived her life, but the disease progressed aggressively. She died peacefully at home with Heather at her side. Eileen loved being with people – the more the merrier. Ei loved cooking lavish feasts for dozens of family and friends and there were always leftovers. In addition to Jersey City, Eileen also lived for several years in Mount Olive before buying her first home and moving to Dover a decade ago. Her family will celebrate her life on Sunday, January 12, 2014, between 3 p.m. and 6 p.m. at Tuttle Funeral Home, 272 Route 10, Randolph, (www.tuttlefh.com). A memorial service will immediately follow. Eileen left a large, loving family. She is survived by daughter Heather Nidowicz and husband Mark Pereira of East Windsor; stepdaughter Doreene Weiner, husband David and son Ian of Cedar Grove; and stepson Joey Nidowicz, wife Christina and son Jarrett of Fair Lawn. Eileen also leaves four siblings and six nieces and nephews: sister Maureen Burke, husband James and children James Jr. and Megan, all of New Providence; sister Sharon Jaeger, husband Richard and children Mary Jennifer and Ricky, all of Hazlet; brother Bill O’Dea Jr., a Hudson County Freeholder, of Jersey City; and sister Colleen O’Dea, husband Paul Wyckoff and children William and Kevin Wyckoff, all of High Bridge. She is also survived by an uncle and aunt and several cousins. A son, Kyle Ve’Ale, of Jersey City, died in 1994. Eileen’s parents, William and Blanche O’Dea, both of Jersey City, died in 1987 and 1989, respectively. Additionally, Eileen considered dozens of good friends to be her extended family. Those who would like to honor Eileen may donate to the Oral Cancer Foundation, 3419 Via Lido 205, Newport Beach, CA 92663 or the North Shore Animal League, 25 Davis Ave., Port Washington, NY 11050.