Obituary of Eileen Manzo

Eileen M. Manzo, a resident of Burlington for 52 years, passed away at her home on Tuesday, September 30, 2008. The wife of 63 years of Alfred Manzo, she was 84 years old. Eileen was born, raised, and educated in London, England. She was the daughter of the late William and Ellen Bryan During her school years she excelled in athletics and was a Track star in the London School System. She was a member of the British Armed Forces for five years during World War II. Eileen was a Driver during the German bombings in London. She was responsible for transporting Officers and POW’s. She met her husband Al while he was serving in the United States Navy who was stationed nearby in London. They married in November of 1945 and came to the United States in 1946. They lived briefly in Somerville before moving to Burlington in 1956 where they raised their sons. Eileen had a very full life raising her sons. After they were grown she went on to have a successful career in Retail working a number of local department stores. Eileen worked at Jordan Marsh located in Teele Square in Somerville. She also worked as an Assistant Store Manager at National Shirt Co. at the Burlington Mall. Eileen ended her career working for 11 years at Marshall’s in Burlington where she worked up until this past July. Eileen and her husband Al were ardent travelers. Together they had visited every Continent with the exception of South America. They had traveled to such countries as Russia, Sweden, Finland and Italy to name a few. They also took frequent trips back to London were Eileen remained close to her family there. Eileen and her family were one of the original members of the Burlington Country Club, which was opened in 1957. In her leisure Eileen enjoyed crossword puzzles, scrabble and jeopardy. Eileen was an accomplished knitter. She knitted sweaters, mittens, and blankets for her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren. She will be lovingly missed by her family and many friends. Eileen is the beloved wife of 63 years of Alfred J. Manzo. She is the Loving mother of Andrew Manzo of San Diego, CA, Alfred Manzo of Santa Barbara, CA, Bruce Manzo of Burlington, Collin Manzo of Tyngsboro, and Russell Manzo of Billerica. Sister of the late William Bryan and Linda Bryan. Also survived by 6 grandchildren and 4 great grandchildren. Funeral from the Edward V. Sullivan Funeral Home, 43 Winn St., BURLINGTON on Saturday, Oct. 4 at 9:00 a.m. Followed by a Mass of Christian Burial in St. Margaret’s Church, 111 Winn St., Burlington at 10 a.m. Visiting hours Friday from 4-8 p.m. Interment in Pine Haven Cemetery, BURLINGTON. Memorials in Eileen’s name may be made to Merrimack Valley Hospice, 360 Merrimack St., Bldg. 9, Entrance 9, Lawrence, MA 01843. Family Remembrance During the past few weeks I have thought a lot about my mom and what really resonated with me was how courageous a woman she was. She joined the British army and became part of the great generation of World War II. Mom used to say that she didn’t feel safe in the bomb shelters; she preferred to stay above ground driving her ambulance through London during the bombings rescuing the wounded. Eileen met my father during the war, they courted through the war years and after the war they were married. She came to the United States stepping into the unknown to start a new life. My mother went on to raise five boys, two through the psychedelic era, especially me through my hippy phase. During that time she told me, “You’re the daughter I never had.” Mom went on to raise three more sons through the punk era, now that took some real courage. After all the boys were grown and moved on with their lives, my mother continued to live life to the fullest traveling through Europe with my dad. My parents understood that they had to remain curious and active to stay young. Last night, after viewing the images of my mom at the funeral home, I realized what a striking beautiful woman she was, an amazing woman indeed. Today I say farewell to my mom and although she is no longer with us physically, her spirit lives on in the diversity of creation