Eileen T. Kiersh (nee Cykowski), age 81, passed away on Sunday, March 16th, at her home in Sarasota, Florida, surrounded by her loving family. Eileen was a retired Nurse Manager of the Pediatric and NICU units at Doctors Hospital and Nationwide Children's Hospital in Columbus, Ohio, where she worked for nearly 30 years. A lovely and caring person, she touched the lives of many nurses who worked with and for her, considering her a second mother and friend.
Eileen was active in The Christ Child Society of Columbus and its Crib Club, where she taught classes to expectant mothers on newborn care. She also participated in several Operation Smile missions, including trips to Colombia, the Philippines, and China, where she served as a volunteer nurse assisting children with cleft palates.
Eileen had an open-door policy for friends and family who wanted to visit both in Ohio and after she moved to Sarasota in 2020. The winter months, from January to April, were filled with nonstop visitors, and she was always in her glory with them. She loved to cook, bake, and prepare meals for her friends and visitors, while engaging in "chitchat" at all hours of the day or night. She traveled the world and created many cherished memories with lifetime friends.
Eileen is survived by her loving husband of 60 years, Raymond; daughters Kristen (Steve) Fenker and Amy Beth (Don) Davenport; and five grandchildren, who were the light of her life – Jack (Colette) and Luke Fenker, and Tyler, Ian, and Emilia Davenport, along with numerous family members and friends.
A Funeral Mass will be held at 10 a.m. on Friday, March 21, at Our Lady Queen of Martyrs Catholic Church, 833 Magellan Drive, Sarasota, FL 34243. Eileen wished to be cremated, and her ashes will be placed immediately following the Mass in the church's consecrated Memorial Garden, where Ray can visit with her every Saturday when he attends Mass.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that any donations in Eileen's memory be made to The Christ Child Society of Columbus or Operation Smile.
A Celebration of Life for Eileen will be held in Ohio this summer.
Brown & Sons Funeral Homes & Crematory 26th Street Chapel, 5624 26th Street West, Bradenton, FL 34207, is in charge of arrangements.
