Allow the light and the healing presence of Christ to shine brightly through your lives. In that way, all those who come in contact with you will discover the loving kindness of God. -St. Pope John Paul II
Eileen G. Matzinger (nee Kulakaski), 83, of Chambersburg, PA, passed away on June 12, 2024, after over twenty years of carrying the cross of several serious medical conditions.
She was born on July 14, 1940, in Glen Cove, NY. She is preceded in death by her parents; Stanley and Gladys Kulakaski.
She grew up on the Inisfada Estate in Manhasset, NY, with her father Stanley serving as head grounds caretaker for Inisfada residents Nicholas and Genevieve Brady, New York philanthropists and patrons of Catholic charities and later for the Catholic Society of Jesus St. Ignatius Retreat House.
Eileen attended St. Mary’s High School and took special interest in choir, cheer and public speaking. She was Cheer Team Captain and voted “Most Popular” in her senior class. Following graduation she worked as an administrative assistant for a local engineering firm and area businesses.
Eileen married Bruce James Matzinger on November 3, 1962, and lived in the small hamlet of Glen Head, NY, for over 40 years. She was a devoted mother to BettyJo (husband Jonathan Lash) and Bruce Jr. (wife Pamela), and later a cherished grandmother and great-grandmother to Alexander (wife Christiana), Glen (wife Emma), Ava, Mariah, James, Simone, and Lyla and great-grandchildren Jonathan, Rosie, and Robert.
Eileen was proud to be a New Yorker, enjoyed Broadway shows and living near the coast with many weekends spent on the Long Island Sound and Jones Beach. Eileen loved the water and living nearby was such a gift for her.
While raising her family on Long Island, Eileen took classes in elementary education and business administration at Cornell University, and worked as an audit secretary at the First National Bank of Long Island.
She especially enjoyed traveling with her husband and family, with very memorable and multiple trips to Hawaii, Alaska, Italy, Brazil, Caribbean Islands and National Parks. Eileen also loved cats and tended to “Sushi” and later “Boychek”, who made the move with her and Bruce to Chambersburg, PA.
Upon retirement and moving to the Chambersburg area, Eileen continued her love of music as an active and devoted member of the Corpus Christi Catholic Church Choir. She enjoyed rehearsals and singing at Sunday Masses and Feast Day celebrations.
She was also a dedicated pool member at Penn National Golf Club in Fayetteville and the Chambersburg Fitness Center, committed to swimming laps and doing water aerobic classes throughout the year. She shared this passion with her children and grandchildren as they were learning to swim.
Eileen found joy in preparing meals and finding loving gifts to celebrate seasons, sacraments, birthdays, and anniversaries. Her blueberry muffins and deviled eggs were family favorites. She had a knack for mailing the perfect card and it was important to her to attend all birthdays, recitals, graduations, and sacramental celebrations both near and far. She enthusiastically embraced her husband, Bruce, and their two children, seven grandchildren, and three great-grandchildren. Family get-togethers for holidays and any occasion delighted her, especially when it included lots of chocolate!
During her last two years of life, while receiving medical care at Chambers Pointe Health Care Center, she was devoted to the rosary as a source of strength and shared her sense of humor with the nursing staff, residents and visitors. She took a special interest in the lives of those who cared for her.
Eileen found solace and community at Corpus Christi Catholic Church, where her funeral service will be held on Saturday, June 22, with visitation at 10 a.m. and the Catholic Requiem Mass at 11 a.m.
Contributions in her memory may be made to EWTN Global Catholic Network online here, and St. Jude Children’s Hospital online here in lieu of flowers.
The Sellers Funeral Home in Chambersburg, PA, is assisting the family with the funeral arrangements. Online condolences may be expressed at the funeral home’s website.
Let us remember the past with gratitude, live the present with enthusiasm, and look forward to the future with confidence. Never, ever give up on hope, never doubt, never tire, and never become discouraged. Be not afraid. -St. Pope John Paul II
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