Eileen Brennan, Dec. 19, 2011

3:34 p.m., Jan. 5, 2012--Eileen J. Brennan, 79, of Wilmington, Del., died unexpectedly Dec. 19 at her home. 

Mrs. Brennan worked as a secretary in the Department of Political Science and International Relations from August 1986 to January 1993. 

She grew up New York City, was educated at St. Peters High School and Fordham University, then met and married Joseph F. Brennan, started her family and subsequently moved to Ramsey, N.J. 

While raising a family of five, she was active in both church and community affairs. She was president of The League of Women Voters, actively involved in various charitable organizations and volunteered her time to both the local public library and local public schools. 

In 1976, she moved to Hong Kong where she lived for three years, continuing her involvement in community service by teaching English in local Chinese schools, before moving to Honolulu. In 1981, she returned to the East Coast and after her husband's retirement, the family settled in Wilmington, Del., and she then worked at UD.

Mrs. Brennan is survived by her husband, Joseph F. Brennan of Wilmington, Del.; sons Timothy J. Brennan and his wife, Georgina, of London, England, Thomas J. Brennan and his wife, Geralyn, of Corvallis, Ore., and John J. Brennan of New York, N.Y.; daughters, Mary Pat Hinder and her husband, Steven, of Aberdeen, Md., and Eileen Burkley and her husband, John, of Elkton, Md.; and sister, Mary Ellen Mileski and her husband, Carl, of Galveston, Texas. She is also survived by her grandchildren, Emma and Sarah Brennan of London, Lucy and Jack Brennan of Corvallis, Giaocchino Brennan of New York, Alex, Kate and Luke Hinder of Aberdeen, and Charlotte, Janie and Julia Burkley of Elkton, Md. 

Memorial contributions may be made to The American Cancer Society or The Fresh Air Fund of New York, c/o R.T. Foard Funeral Home, P.A., 259 East Main St., Elkton, MD 21921. 

Online condolences may be left at the R.T. Foard Funeral Home website.