Eileen Parker of Easton, MA passed away peacefully on August 14, 2020. She was born in Boston on April 29, 1932 to Lillian and Solomon Keller. Eileen, an only child, grew up in Mattapan and graduated from the Jeremiah Burke High School. She continued her studies at Boston University, School of Education and became a 4th grade teacher and later a piano teacher, maintaining a studio in her home.
Eileen married her love, Morris Parker, and they shared 35 years of marriage until his passing in 1988. They raised their family in Milton and Sharon, Massachusetts, as well as Hull, where they owned a beach home and spent glorious summers.
In later years, Eileen became a snow bird, wintering in Boynton Beach, Florida. She shared those happy years with her companion, the late Irving Hershman.
Eileen’s greatest passion throughout her life was playing classical piano. She received a Baldwin baby grand piano from her parents when she was 16. Playing Beethoven and Mozart beautifully well into her 80s, Eileen considered her piano her most cherished possession. As Eileen stated many times, “You can never go wrong with Beethoven.”
Eileen enjoyed her season’s subscriptions to the Rhode Island Philharmonic, which she attended with her daughter Iris and son-in-law Ted, rising to her feet and boisterously shouting “BRAVO” at the conclusion of the pieces performed.
Eileen is survived by her loving daughter Iris van der Walde and her husband Ted Orson, Sharon Altman and her husband Scott, and Stephen Parker and his wife Jodie. She is also survived by her grandchildren Bethany Harris and her husband Andrew, Meredith van der Walde, Marissa, Laurel and Andrew Parker, as well as her darling great-grandson Charlie Harris.
Iris would like to thank Eileen’s caregivers, Dee Ricci, Irene O’Donnell, and Janet Cabral for their unwavering love and support during Eileen’s illness and for making it possible for Eileen to remain in her beautiful home as long as she did.
In addition, Iris would like to thank the caregivers at The Lighthouse at Lincoln under the direction of Jodi DiRaimo, who is truly an angel on earth.
Finally, a heartfelt thank you is extended to the nurses at Hope Hospice who lovingly cared for Eileen in her final days.
Due to the pandemic, funeral services will be private. In lieu of flowers, donations in Eileen’s memory to Alzheimer’s Association, act.alz.org/donate would be appreciated.
Eileen will be lovingly missed by all of her family and friends who were fortunate enough to be part of her life.
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