HURON - Eileen Marie Whitely Braidech, 85, of Huron, Ohio, died peacefully on May 24, 2020, in her home surrounded by loved ones.
Above all else in her storied life, raising her family and being involved with her grandchildren were her favorite accomplishments. She loved nothing better than hosting family gatherings, baking Christmas cookies and coloring Easter eggs, planning family events like the annual fall trip to Mohican State Park, and taking her grandchildren to Cedar Point, to name just a few. Eileen made everyone feel loved with her homemade scrapbooks and posters commemorating life’s milestones. She was so funny, so feisty, and was able to make immediate friends everywhere she went. Her home was always filled with laughter and joy.
Eileen was widely known for her decades of teaching in the Huron School system. She began her career in Columbus before moving to Huron and becoming a favorite of many students at Woodlands Elementary and McCormick Middle School. She retired in 1997 after 30 years of working in a profession she truly loved.
A Buckeye through-and-through, Eileen graduated from The Ohio State University with a bachelor’s degree in education, then completed graduate coursework at Bowling Green State University. Throughout the years, she attended as many Buckeye football games as possible, including frequent OSU Alumni trips to bowl games and the famed playoff victory against Alabama in 2014.
After retiring, she enjoyed volunteering with The Merry-Go-Round Museum, St. Peter Catholic Church, Dial-a-Drive, and Stein Hospice. She also loved spending time with friends, especially as part of her Bridge Club and Study Club. Her hobbies included traveling, sewing and needlepoint, reading, playing cards, and walking at Sheldon’s Folley and Old Woman’s Creek.
Eileen was born April 14, 1935, in Bellevue, Ohio, to the late Clarence and Beatrice Whitely. She was preceded in death by her loving Husband of 59 years, Lawrence (Larry) Braidech, whom she married on July 4, 1959, in Bellevue. She also was preceded in death by her sister, Helen Whitely (Sister Clare Marie), and her brother, Richard Whitely.
She is survived by her children Lori (Mark) Wengerd, Kara (Joe) Gillotti, Lisa (Jon) Szekely, Mark (Janet) Braidech; her grandchildren Joey Wengerd, Sam Wengerd, Rachel Szekely, Nate Szekely, Meghan Szekely, Sarah Gillotti, Katherine Braidech, and Jack Braidech; sister Marilyn Lashuay and brother-in-law Tom Lashuay; sister-in-law Sandra Whitely; nieces Laura Gainor and Leslie Braidech; and nephew Michael Whitely.
The family appreciates Caregiver Jenni for her loving heart and owes a huge debt of gratitude to longtime Caregiver Debbie Henry for ensuring that both Eileen and Larry had an extraordinary quality of life.
A family funeral Mass will be celebrated at St. Peter Catholic Church in Huron..
Memorial contributions may be made to the St. Peter Capital Campaign, 430 Main Street, Huron 44839.
Online condolences may be shared at www.fosterfh.com.
Foster Funeral Home and Crematory, Huron, is assisting the family with arrangements.
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