Obituaries

Town of Poughkeepsie – Eileen P. Heller, 80, a Town of Poughkeepsie resident, died peacefully at home on January 24, 2019 with her family by her side.

Born in the Bronx on December 2, 1938, she was the daughter of the late Victor E. and Rose Donohue Magnasco. She married David Heller in 1973, he predeceased her on April 12, 2015.

Eileen graduated from Cathedral High School in New York City, and the Katherine Gibbs School of Business. She later earned her Bachelor's Degree from Empire State College. Eileen was a former administrator at the Valley Vista Adult Home in Highland.

Survivors include her daughter, Christine S. Ecker and husband, Daniel, of Salt Point; four step-children, Steven Heller and wife, Carol, of Milan, Scott Heller and wife, Jean, of Patterson, Stuart Heller of Riverdale, NY, and Susie Brigman and husband, Bobby, of Lakeland, FL; three grandchildren, Nicholas Ecker and wife, Rebekah, of Santiago, Chile, Jessica Ecker of Salt Point, and Alexander Ecker and wife, Alison, of Highland; four great-grandchildren, Benjamin, Karalyn, William, and Andrew Ecker; sister, Sharon D. Civitillo and husband, Frank, of Poughkeepsie and St. John’s, Florida; nephew, Victor Civitillo, of Poughkeepsie; niece, Francine Fransen, of St. John's, FL; and great nieces, Alyssa and Kaylee Fransen, and Lorelei Civitillo.

While our words don't equate to the fineness of Eileen's elaborate speeches, there are a few people we would like to recognize: Jeanette, the master dessert server, and Melody, who was a dear friend to mom.

Memorial calling hours will be 4 to 7 pm, Friday, February 1st at Sweet’s Funeral Home, Rte. 9, Hyde Park.

Inurnment in the family niche at Poughkeepsie Rural Cemetery will take place at the convenience of the family.

In lieu of flowers, Eileen’s family respectfully requests memorial donations to Dutchess County SPCA, 636 Violet Ave, Hyde Park, NY 12538. (www.dcspca.org)

To send an online condolence or for directions, please visit www.sweetsfuneralhome.com.

To plant a tree in memory of Eileen P. Heller, please visit our Tribute Store.

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