Eileen A. Brennan

Cambridge-Eileen Brennan passed away peacefully in her sleep on the evening of December 4th. She was born Eileen Agnes (Benoit) Bates on August 23, 1929 in North Adams, Massachusetts. 

Eileen attended Blackington Elementary School and Drury High School. She received a Bachelor of Education degree from North Adams State Teacher’s College (Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts).  She taught Kindergarten in North Adams for seven years before moving to Cambridge in 1960.  Eileen worked as a substitute teacher and playground aide at Cambridge Central School for many years.

Eileen was the loving wife of Donald E. Brennan. Together they raised two children, Colleen (Mark) Burton and Terry (Terese) Brennan. She and Don were essential in raising their grandchildren Ryan, Aaron, Amber, Keelin, Kevin, and Kate. They were particularly fond of their fifteen nieces and nephews and their twenty nine great nieces and nephews. She is also survived by sister-in-law Edwina Brown. Despite her illness Eileen was still able to keep up with the comings and goings of her nine great grandchildren Jack, Kaylee, Brennan, Sam, Landry, Evelyn, Emmett, Caden and Luke.  Hedges Lake was her favorite spot for gatherings and many happy hours were spent there among family and friends.

Eileen’s interests were centered around the arts.  She loved to paint in oils and watercolor.  She was passionate about playing the guitar with her friends Gwen, Dottie, Jane, Heidi, Alice, and Ruth.  “Our Brave Little Band” met every week and played out frequently for charities, family gatherings and just plain fun. 

Eileen was predeceased by her husband and lifelong friend Don, her mother Mary Agnes (Benoit) Bates, her father Alan Frederick Bates, her brother Alan “Babe” Bates Jr. her sister Patricia (Stephenson) Bates, in-laws Richard Brown, Peter Stephenson, Francis Brennan, Margaret Brennan, and many dear friends. 

Eileen’s life will be celebrated at St. Patrick Church, 17 South Park St., Cambridge at 10 AM on Friday, December 15, 2017.

She was a frequent patron of the Cambridge Public Library and her wish was that in lieu of flowers donations be made there on her behalf.

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