Bar Harbor
Eileen Margaret Brennan, 91, died at home on April 15, 2019. She was born in Iowa City, Iowa, the daughter of Thomas Philip Brennan and Flora Mercer Brennan.
She graduated from White Plains High School in White Plains, N.Y., and went on to earn a Bachelor of Science degree from St. Lawrence University.
She spent much of her career as a religious education director in Unitarian Universalist churches. Eventually she earned a master’s degree in special education from George Mason University and spent many years teaching third- and fourth-graders in Ashley Falls, an alternative program within the public school system in Sheffield, Mass., where she lived for 30 years. When she was 80, she moved to Bar Harbor to be with her daughter, Bronwen.
Much as she loved her Berkshires community, she quickly established a full and rich life for herself in her new home, making many friends and becoming active in the Unitarian Universalist Church of Ellsworth.
She loved music of all kinds and was an accomplished recorder player and teacher. She was always delighted to perform as a soloist or with others. She loved animals and always had at least one furry companion by her side until close to the end of her long and inspirational life. In later life she managed several health issues with strength and grace. She touched many people with her generous and loving spirit and she greatly valued her relationships with family and friends.
She is survived by her daughter, Bronwen Day, and partner, D.S. Dyer, daughter Dinah Day and husband, Jamie Camlin, granddaughter Maija Leyendecker and her husband, Jake, granddaughter Kirsti Kaldro and her husband, Ed Bridge, granddaughter-in-law Cydney Mahoney, Emma Nelson and her husband, Zach, Justin Dyer and several great-grandchildren.
She was predeceased by her sisters Mary Russell and Connie Barden and her grandson Nick Mahoney.
A celebration of life will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday, May 18, 2019, at the Unitarian Universalist Church of Ellsworth, 121 Bucksport Road, Ellsworth.
Gifts in Eileen’s memory can be made to the Unitarian Universalist Church of Ellsworth. Condolences may be expressed at www.jordanfernald.com.