Obituary of Eileen Boardman

Eileen Anne Shea Boardman, Matriarch and Holder of The Boston Cane as Islesboro’s oldest resident, Eileen Boardman passed the cane on and left all earthly things behind on February 4, 2015. She was the first of 6 children born to John Francis and Alice Goode Shea in New Haven, CT on July 26, 1921. The Shea family moved to Hartford where Eileen graduated from Hartford Public High in 1940. She went to work at Pratt & Whitney Aircraft in East Hartford where she met the love of her life, Paul Boardman. Her first visit to meet the in-laws on Islesboro was by way of the mail boat. In 1943, after Eileen and Paul were married, they made their home in Coventry CT, and raised their five children there. Of the many stories she told of her life in Coventry, there was one that especially excited her. She was “Reservations Chair” for the Coventry Fife & Drum Ball where she danced to the Vaughn Monroe Orchestra. Eileen appeared in the newspaper after local press captured Vaughn planting a friendly smooch on her. She could always readily produce that photo for proof! Throughout the Coventry years, Eileen was a full time home maker as well as a full time employee of A&P Supermarket. During her years as cashier on the UCONN campus many of her coworkers, and some students referred to her as “Ma”. This term of endearment followed her throughout life until she became “Gram” to friends of all ages. She and the children began spending part of the summers on Islesboro in the late 1950s. When she and Paul retired, and returned to Paul’s ancestral homestead in 1978, they might have thought it was to live out their remaining years, but in many ways life was just beginning for them. On Islesboro, Eileen and Paul became active community servants with Paul serving as selectman for many years, and Eileen serving as Islesboro’s Town Clerk for 14 years. In March 2002 after 59 years of marriage Eileen lost her dear, Paul. With gentle. firm nudges from her dear, daughter Eileen Marie, and her best buddy, daughter-in-law, Lisa, Ms. Eileen grieved, regrouped, and then evolved into the Octogenarian who made life more fun for all of us. Travel in her later years found her in Florida, California and Mexico. Her finest adventure was a trip to Ireland with a few of her younger girlfriends. She volunteered wherever necessary. One could find her helping out at blood drives or reading to children at Islesboro Central School. She enjoyed Islesboro Historical Society Docent work. Eileen's graciousness, and her beautiful, award winning Palmer Method penmanship made her the natural choice for writing thank you notes for town organizations. Eileen loved music and she really loved to dance, especially to the tunes of Islesboro’s own Charlie Pendleton Band. She danced her way into and out of any event with music, and some without music! She sang in Community Chorus well into her 80s, and participated in Zumba class until she was 90. Eileen was known as a faithful fan at all Islesboro Eagles sporting events—especially basketball games. She often remarked that she had never imagined the richness and possibility of her new life on Islesboro. Her smiling eyes, her quick wit, and her acceptance of people “just as they are” made for easy friendships which she had in abundance from pre-school to old-school. Eileen was grateful and blessed to love and be loved by her community. Eileen was predeceased by her husband, Paul Boardman, an infant brother, John and brothers, William and Gerald Shea and by her sister, Alice Kingsley, Alice’s husband Frank, and a special nephew, John Francis Kingsley. Most recently, she is predeceased by a loving sister in law, Louise Shea. She leaves a large and loving family that includes brother, Raymond Shea, and sister, Joan Buckley. Eileen leaves her children: daughter, Eileen Marie and husband, Charles Baker; Richard and wife Carol, John and wife Linda, William and wife Lisa and Michael Paul. Her grandchildren brought such joy: grandson Thomas and wife Laura, granddaughters Lauren and husband Sean Murphy, Tracy and husband Adam Way, Carrie and husband Scott Generous, and Heather and husband Greg Kennedy and a "Made in Maine' granddaughter, Davis Boardman. She also leaves seven great grandchildren who adored Nana, and made life exciting and new in her eyes. They are Thomas, Jenna and Jonathan Boardman, Madison and Bennett Murphy, and Marin and Madeline Kennedy. A service will be held on Sunday February 14, 2016 at noon in the Islesboro Second Baptist Church with a celebration following at the Islesboro Community Center. There will also be a Mass at St. Bridgit’s Catholic Church in Hartford on February 20, 2016. In Lieu of flowers, Eileen requested that donations be made to Boardman Cottage or Islesboro Ambulance Association. Arrangements are under the care of Riposta Funeral Home, 182 Waldo Avenue, Belfast. Memories may be shared with the family at www.ripostafh.com.