Eileen Patricia Albanese

Eileen Patricia Albanese, age 64 of Wayne, passed away on Saturday, September 16, 2023, surrounded by her loving family. 

She was born in The Bronx, NY to Neil and Mary O’Sullivan before moving to Ridgefield, New Jersey at a young age. Eileen would go on to graduate from Ridgefield Memorial High School where she competed on the softball team and was a statistician for the high school basketball team. After her graduation, Eileen continued her education at Fairleigh Dickinson University where she received a bachelor’s degree in accounting, graduating with the class of 1983. 

Eileen met the love of her life, Joseph Albanese, Jr. during her time at Ridgefield Memorial High School. Being two years apart, the two didn’t decide to date until one of their mutual teachers, Mr. Bastick, recognized their compatibility and suggested the two go on a date together. Both athletes, Eileen and Joseph decided to go to the Ridgefield vs. Harrison basketball game together. Although they went to the game with one another, they did not leave together. Unfortunately, a benches clearing brawl erupted that led to all the attendees being escorted out of the building. Eileen’s job as the statistician delayed her exit, but when she got out, she found that Joseph was nowhere to be found! Fortunately, Eileen’s dad Neil was there to take her home, but she made sure to never let Joe live that down over the years! Eileen and Joseph fell in love and Joseph asked her father for his permission to marry her. He proposed on Christmas Eve Mass at Saint Matthews Church in Ridgefield, the same place they eventually married at on June 9, 1979. Eileen and Joseph decided to honeymoon in Jamaica only to return after a single day. Eileen ended up suffering such a bad sunburn that the local doctors recommended she return home. While being rolled off the plane in a wheelchair, a young nephew there to greet the couple asked Joe, “What did you do to her?!” The two shared a loving, best friends’ marriage for 39 years before Joe’s untimely passing in 2018.

Eileen will be remembered as a hardworking, loving, funny, and especially witty individual who balanced out Joe’s laid-back persona perfectly. She loved spending her time reading, baking goods – especially scones, hosting family holidays, and of course cheering on the Mets. Her friends will remember her for her brilliance and her uncanny ability to help take care of everyone around her. She was a selfless woman who was deeply involved in her community. 

Eileen’s professional career started at Mercedes Benz where she worked as an accountant for many years. After the birth of her first child, Eileen spent her time taking care of her family and becoming involved in every activity they took part in. This meant becoming involved in organizations throughout Wayne such as the President of the Pines Lake PTO, working at the school store, the baseball booster club, and one of her most proud accomplishments - her tenure as the President of the Board of Education of the Wayne School System for 9 years. Eileen had a passion for fairness, equality, and education that lasted long after her three children graduated from the Wayne school system. She saw the value in a quality education and wanted to constantly give back to her community. In addition to being involved with her children’s education, Eileen made sure her family had a close relationship with God. Eileen was a parishioner of Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin Mary for many years attending weekly Mass with her family. She was involved in CCD and acted as a Confirmation instructor for many families in addition to her own. After Joe’s passing, Eileen decided to go back to work as an office administrator for Prestige Wealth out of Franklin Lakes. She fit more life into only 64 years than most could in 100. 

Eileen is survived by her three children: Daniel and his wife Rebecca Albanese, Steven Albanese of Little Falls, and Caitlin Albanese of Philadelphia; her two sisters: Colleen O’Sullivan and Maureen O’Sullivan and her fiancé Robert Casella. She is predeceased by her loving husband of 39 years Joseph Albanese; her parents Neil O’Sullivan and Mary O’Sullivan; and their family Shih Tzu Sophie. 

The family has decided to establish a scholarship to reward academic excellence and community service in Eileen's name, to continue giving back to the students and community Eileen gave so much to in life. In lieu of flowers, donations by check to the Wayne Board of Education (50 Nellis Drive, Wayne, NJ 07470), indicating the Eileen P. Albanese Educational Excellence and Service Award in the memo, would be appreciated.