Eileen Ann Harrington

Eileen Ann Harrington, beloved mother of four and friend to so many in Billings, passed on March 11, 2018, after suffering complications from a fall. Eileen was born in Buffalo, New York, on Feb. 27, 1931, and was able to enjoy a glass of Chardonnay with her daughter on her 87th birthday, celebrated just last month.

Eileen met her husband, Francis Vincent Harrington, in Buffalo when she worked for Wickwire Spencer Steel. They married in May of 1955 and soon moved to Cleveland, Ohio, to pursue his career in the steel industry. In Cleveland, three of her children were born: Kerry, Mark and Patrick. Eileen and Fran were transferred to Denver, Colorado, in 1963, where they lived for 13 years. Son Timothy was born in Denver.

Transferred to Billings in 1976, this is where Eileen made her home for the next 42 years. They moved into a brand new house on the West End and Eileen's penchant for design and color are evident in every corner of the house. She made this a special place for her family with decor gathered from her travels, her handmade crafts and an attention to detail that caused many to observe that at a different time, she could've been an interior decorator!

As the kids grew older, she took a job at Billings Deaconess Hospital, where she worked as a ward clerk and later as a monitor clerk in the Telemetry Unit for 29 years until she retired at age 74! Not only capable and conscientious, she was a joy to the doctors, nurses and colleagues with whom she worked. She continued to see her cherished friends from the hospital, hosting annual luncheons that were highly anticipated and demonstrated her attention to detail and presentation.

Eileen's beloved husband passed in 2009, and despite the longing of her children for her to move closer, her independent spirit prevailed. In this final chapter, she found new ways to stay connected with people and made it a point to leave the house every day. She volunteered at KJCR Radio Station and at the Billings Crime Prevention Bureau. She found fun places where she could enjoy a dinner or a drink - not shy of eating alone - for that would give her an opportunity to meet everyone around her. No doubt, everyone remembers her consistent refrain for the vicissitudes of life: "it is what it is."

Eileen is survived by her four children: Kerry Harrington (Mike) Morrison of Los Angeles, CA, and their children, Zachary and Mackenzie; Mark (Polly) Harrington of Santa Clara, CA, and their children, Siobhan, Dylan and Dustin; Timothy (Marielle) Harrington and their children, Sarah and Benjamin of Everett, WA; and Patrick Harrington of Coppell, TX, and his daughter, Makenna.

A vigil is planned for 7 p.m. Friday, May 4, and a funeral service at 11 a.m. Saturday, May 5. More details will be available via Michelotti-Sawyers Mortuary.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Fr. Ken's Vineyard, a nonprofit supporting the domestic and international ministry work of Fr. Ken Deasy. Please send contributions in memory of Eileen Harrington to PO Box 1339, Santa Clara, CA, 95052.