Eileen Margaret (Walter) Heinonen

Eileen Margaret Heinonen, 95, passed away peacefully December 26, 2020. She did not die of Covid. She was born September 8, 1925, in Brooklyn, NY to John and Margaret (Jenny) Walter.

Eileen graduated from Girls Commercial High School in Brooklyn, NY with an emphasis on fashion design. She was a Miss Sunset Park at Coney Island beauty contest winner and excelled as a competitive swimmer, qualifying for the 1940 Pan-American games. She met her future husband, Ennu T. Heinonen in Brooklyn and were married on August 25, 1946. They moved to North Windham, CT where Eileen became a homemaker, accomplished seamstress and raised six children. She enjoyed annual family camping trips, visiting most of the National Parks, and spending every summer weekend in Mystic aboard their boat, the Mic Mac. Her later years were filled with assisting the Eastern Connecticut State University swim team, volunteering for the Special Olympics and swimming in her lap pool.

Eileen was predeceased by her husband Ennu; a son, Neil Heinonen; granddaughter Erin Heinonen; and brother Robert Walter. She is survived by sons Tom Heinonen of North Windham; Mark Heinonen and wife Nancy of North Franklin; Glenn Heinonen and wife Susan of Willimantic; Keith Heinonen and his fiancée Paula Boudreau of Colchester, and daughter Susan Heinonen Pate and husband Joe of Orrington, ME. She will also be remembered by twelve grandchildren and thirteen great-grandchildren.

The family wishes to thank her private caregivers and the staff of Harrington Court of Colchester for their compassionate care.

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