ForeverMissed
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Mother's final care will be provided by Carr Funeral Home in Charlestown, MA.  Further information regarding services to be posted shortly.
https://www.carrfuneral.com/Obituaries.html     

Should you wish to honor her memory with a donation, we suggest one of the following:

Breast Cancer Research Fund  https://www.bcrf.org/
Eileen was a breast cancer survivor

The Humane Society of the United States  https://www.humanesociety.org/
Because of Eileen's love of animals

The Lucile Packard Foundation for Children's Health  https://www.lpfch.org/supportlpch
Because of Eileen's love of children   
(full disclosure, daughter Eileen works for the Foundation)




May 31, 2021
May 31, 2021
Fortunate to have met her, proud to remember - God bless
June 28, 2020
June 28, 2020
To Dan Joe and Eileen. Please accept my deepest sympathy on the death of yer mother. God rest her soul. I am Mary Horgan, and my late husband Connie, was her nephew. I have fond memories of her visit here many years ago.  Ye are in my thoughts and prayers.
June 27, 2020
June 27, 2020
Dear Eileen and Dan Joe . sincere sympathy on the passing of your Mam . she was my grandmother s (May Horgan ) sister. I remember meeting her once when I was small when she visited Ireland. From your cousin Desmond Horgan Carrigdangan Inchigeelagh son of the late Connie Horgan
June 10, 2020
June 10, 2020
Eileen, I was so sorry to learn of your death , but what a wonderful long life you had. The last time we were together was September 1989 at the O'Riordan's Family reunion in Inchigeela, and what a great time was had by all. Happy memories. R.I.P. Eileen.
your dear sister in law,  Eileen McClelland (O'Riordan).
June 9, 2020
June 9, 2020
What a beautiful tribute to your mother. She was a very sweet lady and I am so glad I got to spend time with her and get to know her when she lived in CA!
June 7, 2020
June 7, 2020
We were fortunate that your dear mother lived for a while here in California, so that we were able to meet her personally. We feel that we knew her so well, though, by knowing you, Eileen. Your shared stories about your mother, right up to her 100th birthday celebration and the ensuing year, brought her right into our lives. We are grateful that we knew her.
June 3, 2020
June 3, 2020
We were fortunate to meet Mrs. Riordan several times. She was always engaging, gracious and personable. She touched all of our lives and her spirit lives on. With love and support from the West Coast.

All our best, The Taccini Family
June 2, 2020
June 2, 2020
Please accept my sincere sympathy on the loss of your mother and grandmother. It's the end of an era - the end of a generation. Maureen Lyne (Pauline's daughter from Ireland)
June 2, 2020
June 2, 2020
"Little Eileen" was the first friend I made when we moved to East Somerville in 1963. We have remained closest of friends to this day, even 3,ooo miles apart.
Here are some favorite memories of the woman I still call Mrs Riordan, but who was always a friend to me. She had an amazing connection to all the animals in her life. I called her Mrs Doolittle. The only talking parakeet I've ever met was in her kitchen, "Pretty Bird" who would greet you with a squawking "hello" and a "pretty bird, pretty bird". Sitting on the steps on the Benedict St
house and helping her snap fresh green beans from her garden. Sitting in the air conditioned (!) living room in the dark with the family, watching Twilight Zone in that same house. Always feeling welcome. Listening to Mr & Mrs R and their friends gathered in the living room on Wisconsin Ave as they sang traditional Irish songs together. Amazing. Lots of conversations enjoying
listening to her lovely Irish lilt. I couldn't have spent so many hours during my young years in a better place than the Riordan home.
"Mrs Riordan", love you dearly, miss you always.
Patti (Connolly) Pedro
June 2, 2020
June 2, 2020
Our sincere condolences on the passing of Great Aunty Nell. We had the joy of visiting her when we were in Boston on holidays many years ago. From Jerry Lyne (Pauline’s son), Bandon Co Cork Ireland & his wife Martina & girls.
June 1, 2020
June 1, 2020
Mom
You have bestowed upon me your never ending love and guidance to mold me into the man I am today. I hope you and Dad look down from heaven each day and be proud of my Family and me ,as we carry on the Riordan name for generations to come .
You are my Irish Angel
Eternal Love your son ,
DanJoe
June 1, 2020
June 1, 2020
We were heartbroken to hear of Mrs. Riordan’s passing. We remember visiting Mr. and Mrs. when they were still at 33 Wisconsin Ave. Mr. Riordan would pour an Irish mist for us, and Mrs. Riordan would always have a book to suggest and give us past reads to take home. They were consummate hosts and they passed on their conviviality to their children. Timmy, he knew how to pour a Black and Tan for Barry and had a story or two himself. Eileen, is a gracious hostess and we were treated so special when we visited her and her Mom in San Jose. Dan and Dee treat us like family – are family. Dan is like a brother to Barry.

Whether on the west or east coast, we always looked forward to seeing Mrs. Riordan and listening to her stories and (still!) Irish brogue. The brogue made the conversation all the more interesting, and sometimes challenging to understand. We also remember hearing a song or two when she was still able to play her accordion, especially around St. Patrick’s Day. As her hearing began to fail, we were lucky in that Barry’s booming voice (i.e., his natural voice) she was able to hear perfectly. We were pleased that she was always so happy to see us - although if it had just been Barry it probably would have been perfectly fine with her as I think she had a bit of a crush on him. In all honesty, he had a bit of a crush on her too. 

She loved her sweets. Even though Dan frowned on it, we would bring cookies or candy to her. And although we knew she appreciated the visits, she was perfectly happy to see us go so she could get into the stash we brought. Until very recently she was an avid Boston sports fan and would enjoy discussing the Bruins and Red Sox games after following them on the radio.

Mrs. Riordan was a wonderful woman and we valued her friendship. Our lives are richer for having known her and for that we feel fortunate. She has given us many fond memories which we will cherish.

With love and sympathy to all the Riordans,
Barry and Jaye

June 1, 2020
June 1, 2020
I had the utmost pleasure of meeting Eileen and speaking with her over the past few years at Courtyard Nursing Care Center where she resided. As a social worker here, I have met and cared for so many over the past 7 years and to say it was a pleasure to have Eileen here is a complete understatement. She was part of our family here and every interaction I had with her was special, as clearly she was. There wasn't a conversation, no matter how brief, that didn't make me smile or laugh or just feel good. She was always warm and gracious. I feel confident that I can speak for us all here when I say we will miss her terribly. To Eileen's family, she clearly loved you all and it was clear you loved her. You were so good to her and I wish you all the best during this difficult time. Rest easy Eileen. 
June 1, 2020
June 1, 2020
My enduring memory of Mrs. Riordan will be of our chats when I would stop by to see her and her friends sitting on her front porch on Wisconsin Ave. She and her friends would always welcome me warmly and we rarely failed to make each other laugh or smile. She is a treasure and I miss her.
June 1, 2020
June 1, 2020
I spent a lot of time visiting Nana, but not enough. She always liked when I made her dinner or cookies or cake on her birthday and always said it was great even when I knew it wasn't. I always liked to hear stories of her time in Ireland and when she and Papa moved to the US, and her memory was amazing. I like to think of her as a young girl in Ireland riding through town on her bike to the dance every week. I'll always remember going to her house after school, and picking out the big pieces of onion from the meatloaf she made us, and when she lived with us, saying to her, "Don't give Cooper any food," and she would say, "I know," as she dropped cracker or popcorn on the floor for him as if we weren't standing there, seeing her do it. I wish I could have spent more time with her but I know she's with Papa now and they're happy and at peace together.
May 31, 2020
May 31, 2020
Posted by Dan Joe: My Mom was an amazing women, raising three children, while Dad had the easy part of working 6 days a week to support the Family!! Managing each day to get us ready for school (never late), Church on Sundays, even found time in between to volunteer at St Benedict's Church with the Sodality Society.
Vacations were few, but always looked forward to the two weeks at Swifts Beach, Wareham on Cape Cod. Mom relaxed a bit on the beach and back yard of the cottage, but still never missed a beat managing us all. No complaints from the kids (we didn't dare!!) Honestly we did but Mom and Dad ended it right then!
 Mom never asked for much. I guess raising and loving us all was her purpose in life. No one could have done it better than her.
 Sitting on the front porch on Wisconsin Ave in the summer with visits from neighbors, friends, relatives from Ireland and Canada; simple but special times spent together. Even my friends would swing by and be hard-pressed to leave, it was being around Mom and Dad that brought them.
 When I got married to De and started our family we moved in with them for a short period. This is when she shined, again, now as a Grandmother (Nana KC ). Of course, Papa shined as well. Mom made sure it worked out and it did.
She didn't travel much but the weekend to Martha's Vineyard, day trips to our house and Rose's in Arlington for holidays, she enjoyed right up to last year.
 My last day with Mom was at the Nursing home, a week before she left us. I am so thankful to be able to hold her hand tell her iI love her and give her a kiss. She responded that "she loved me too" and squeezed my hand. She knew it was time to be with Dad, Timmy and be at peace, knowing she did what she was sent here to do for us.

Mom you are my Angel
Love Dan Joe
XXXXOOOO

May 31, 2020
May 31, 2020
Aunty Nell was my grandfather Anto O'Callaghan's sister. I had the pleasure to meet our Aunty Nell several times over the years. The 1st in 1989, when they stayed with us in Nell's home house in Derra, when they visited for the O'Riordan reunion. I remember even then how nice and kind she was.

I did a J1 student work and travel visa to the US in Summer 2000, working in Cape Cod. But I made many visits to Somerville that summer, and really enjoyed the story telling of Nell and Denny, and getting to know them better. I was struck with how interesting, inspiring and loving she was.

I was lucky enough to have visited a few more times since, the last just a few days before her 100th - we spent a lovely afternoon in the garden of the nursing home with her and Dan Joe. Her memory that day of stories of her childhood in Inchigeela was phenomenal. We laughed at the shenanigans of her rebellious youth - part of her charm :)

She was a most special lady, she left a huge mark on me and I treasure the many happy memories I have of her. 

RIP Aunty Nell.
May 31, 2020
May 31, 2020
Posted by Eileen (Whooley) Goode on Facebook today: Such wonderful memories of your Mother. She visited Agnes in Boston just before her surgery. We had a wonderful night reminiscing of all the days on Bendict Street before Rt. 93 took your house. Friday nights with Perry Mason, Hair Coloring, Permanents and best of all sleep overs for me. Thank you Riordan's for being the best friends to Agnes after my dad died. We will never forget the Thanksgiving water heater replacement your dad did with a smile and kindness. What a wonderful life and family your mom created for all of us. With deepest sympathy from Vail, CO.
May 31, 2020
May 31, 2020
Ryan and I have such happy memories of visiting Eileen and Denny at their home in Somerville. Frannie loved them so much and so did we. Eileen was kind and generous and the mother everyone wants. Her life is an inspiration to all of us. Our love and sympathy to Eileen, Dan Joe, DeDe, Lindsay and Danny. Eileen will be missed.

Michele and Ryan Callahan
May 30, 2020
May 30, 2020
My exceptional mother left this world yesterday (May 29). Having come out of the other end of COVID-19, she passed away peacefully in her sleep. Sadly, none of us could be there with her to bid farewell. She was loved by anyone fortunate enough to know her. Along with our father, who passed in 2001, they gave my brothers and me a strong moral compass and work ethic on which we have built our lives and hopefully will do them honor. She was and will remain the most admired and influential person in my life. I love you mom!

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Recent Tributes
May 31, 2021
May 31, 2021
Fortunate to have met her, proud to remember - God bless
June 28, 2020
June 28, 2020
To Dan Joe and Eileen. Please accept my deepest sympathy on the death of yer mother. God rest her soul. I am Mary Horgan, and my late husband Connie, was her nephew. I have fond memories of her visit here many years ago.  Ye are in my thoughts and prayers.
June 27, 2020
June 27, 2020
Dear Eileen and Dan Joe . sincere sympathy on the passing of your Mam . she was my grandmother s (May Horgan ) sister. I remember meeting her once when I was small when she visited Ireland. From your cousin Desmond Horgan Carrigdangan Inchigeelagh son of the late Connie Horgan
Her Life

The Journey of Ellen (Eileen) Callaghan Riordan

May 29, 2020
These are some of the milestones we assembled and shared during mother's 100th birthday party in August 2018 with a few additions.

  • August 3, 1918 - Born in Goutnalour, Co. Cork, Ireland to Ellen & Dennis Callaghan
  • August 27, 1948 - Arrives in USA with her fiance, Denis Riordan, aboard the RMS Mauretania II
  • February 19, 1950 - Eileen and Dennis are wed at St. Francis Church in Medford, MA
  • July 3, 1951 - "Little" Eileen is born
  • May 3, 1954 - Daniel Joseph (Dan Joe) is born
  • March 14, 1955 - Eileen and Denis become U.S. Citizens
  • December 10, 1955 - Timothy ("Tado") is born
  • April 11, 1956 - Eileen and Dennis buy their first home in Somerville
  • November 1989 - becomes a grandmother for the 1st of 6 times!
  • 1990's - survives breast cancer!
  • July 23, 2001 - Denis leaves our lives
  • June 1, 2015 - Timmy leaves our lives
  • August 3, 2018 - turns 100 years young
  • April 2020 - tests positive for COVID-19
  • May 2020 - tests negative for COVID-19
  • May 29, 2020 - leaves our lives, peacefully in her sleep
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June 7, 2020
Finally true and eternal happiness for her blessed soul....she brought joy and happiness to others, now is the time for her to enjoy the ultimate joy and happiness she so richly deserves...."God Bless"

Facebook Message from friend Bobby Pasco

June 7, 2020
Hi Danny. So sorry to hear this. Ever since we became best friends in high school I know how much she meant to you and your family. Thanks to you, I got to meet her. A tremendous woman. Now she is always with you and watching over you. God Bless her, you, and your family my friend.

A Day of Pampering

May 31, 2020
As Dan Joe mentioned in his tribute, mother never asked for anything for herself and was rather uncomfortable being the center of attention.  But one year for her birthday, I decided I wanted to have a really nice professional portrait done of her.   Something for me to treasure and to share with Dan Joe and Tim.   So, on one of my visits, I told her I was taking her in to Boston to get her hair and nails done and have some lunch.   She enjoyed all this (tho didn't  quite understand why we had to go to Boston when Somerville had perfectly good hairdressers).   What she did not know, is that I had packed some special clothing, makeup and accessories and after lunch, when she thought we were going home, I brought her to the studio and told her what was about to happen.  She was initially embarrassed, didn't understand why and wasn't dressed right.   No worries mom, I have everything you need and helped her get ready.  The photographer charmed her, helping her relax, getting her to laugh and pose different ways (glasses on?  glasses off?)  and in the end I think she enjoyed it.  The result is that beautiful photograph on the first page of this tribute.  Though I am sorry that due to her blindness she never fully saw it .. I am SO glad I was able to capture this side of mother for posterity.

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