Eileen Stortz (Gallagher)

March 8, 1950 - March 25, 2019

Eileen went to be with our Lord in heaven on Monday March 25, 2019 at 6:24 p.m. at the age of 69. She was preceded in death by her parents Neil Edward Gallagher, Margaret Rose Gallagher and stepmother Lila Gallagher. Survived by husband Ronald L. Stortz, children Margaret Holmes, David (Stacey) Holmes, Jenny (Joe) Young, Michael Holmes, Paul (Kaylin) Holmes. Siblings Sheila (Greg) Rosko, Cathy (Alan) Wingeier, Michael (Cheryl) Gallagher, James (Micheline) Gallagher, Robert (Tim) Gallagher, and Cathy Spada.

Eileen grew up in Cleveland, Oh and attended Annunciation Catholic grade school and graduated from St Stephen High School in 1968. She had a passion for singing throughout her life being a member of the choir in grade school and middle school, glee club in high school, and choir member at St. Cecelia all the way up to the months before her passing. Her dedication to her faith in Christ was also evident in her service as a lector at mass. Eileen would toil away with a fierce passion while practicing the scriptures prescribed for her oration.

Family always came first for Eileen. She took on responsibility of caretaker for her family at the young age of 13 when her mother was in and out of the hospital from the ages of 13-15. Eileen cooked, cleaned, and helped raise her younger siblings when her mother passed away when Eileen was 16. She had her first child of her own at the age of 24. Eileen raised 5 children to be “good human beings that I am always proud of,” as she would say. Eileen’s siblings reveled in her company at family gatherings. Eileen’s children loved her and she will be dearly missed. Eileen’s husband says to this day how she was, “Just so good. I hope everyone knows how good she was.” In times of a loved one’s passing, it is strange how inadequate a word such as ‘good’ can be when describing a human being who transcends the adjective.

Loved by all who met her, Eileen was a light to the world. She made instant friends and deep bonds with people upon first meeting. She understood the value of time and spent it well with her family and friends. She attended all the school outings of her children and grandchildren as well as the work functions with her co-workers and husband. She was a  tremendous support system for her loved ones and lifted them up in their endeavors. Eileen was a loving wife, mother, sister, grandmother, aunt and friend. She always had a special knock on the door when she would go visit people, and provided a special type of presence.  Eileen was a blessing to all who knew her. She never met a stranger, because everyone was her friend. Please join us for her memorial service and luncheon to follow: Saturday April 6, 2019 at 12:00 p.m. St. Cecilia Parrish 434 Norton Rd. Columbus, OH 43228.