Eileen Schultze

Mrs. Eileen Theresa Schultze

Mrs. Eileen Theresa Schultze, 99, of Catonsville, MD, peacefully passed away, surrounded by loving family, on Tuesday, June 5, 2018 at St. Martin’s Home in Catonsville, Maryland.  Born on April 8, 1919, in Fairhaven Massachusetts, she was the daughter of the late Jessie Mullarkey and Thomas Coffey.

Eileen was the beloved wife of Henry Gordon Schultze for 77 years; loving mother of Barbara Ramos and husband, Jean Francois of Mt. Pleasant, Patricia Thacher of Frederick, Eleanor Lee Schultze of Keymar, Thomas Schultze and wife, Kathy of Middletown, Jean Rhoades and husband, Jamie of Middletown, Susan Swanson and husband, Bob of Braddock Heights, Stephen Schultze and wife, Mimi of Dickerson; devoted grandmother of Cheryl Reid and husband, Chuck, Deborah Fultz, Stephanie Biser and husband, Scott, Jennifer Burtner-Biser and husband, Joey, Erica Durbin and husband, Dave, Chris Rhoades and wife, Nina, Kyle Swanson, Ryan Schultze and wife, Kaley, Sara Schultze, Adam Rhoades, Michael Schultze, Nic Schultze, Clarke Schultze.  She was the beloved great-grandmother (GiGi) to 10 great-grandchildren; Sydni, Syenna, Shane, Corey, Josie, Haylie, Chloe, Tyler, Calvin and Cameron. She was the loving sister of James “Buddy” Coffey and late wife, Eleanor, the late Thomas Coffey and wife, Anna-Mae, Eddie Coffey and wife, Patricia, and the late Delores Coffey. She was a devoted aunt to numerous nieces and nephews, and special friend to so many, including Maggie Poole. In a special way, Eileen loved the Little Sisters of St. Martins Home, the clergy, residents, and all the staff, who so lovingly cared for her for the past year and nine months.

Eileen grew up in Brooklyn, N.Y., where she was a member of Resurrection Church.  She attended St. Brendan’s High School and met Gordon, the love of her life.  They were married on February 8, 1941, moved to Long Island, where they raised their family of 7 children. She was an active member of St. Raphael’s Catholic Church, participating in the Rosary Society, a member of the Mercy League and many other committees.  She was known for making costumes for fundraising events.

In 1967, Eileen and Gordon moved their family to Braddock Heights, MD, following Gordon’s work transfer by Fairchild Hiller from Long Island to Hagerstown. A homemaker for many years, Eileen began working as a manager for 2 departments at Montgomery Wards when the Fredericktowne Mall first opened. She was a devoted member of Holy Family Catholic Community in Middletown for 31 years and served the church in many ways – as chair of the first Cleaning Committee, as a Eucharistic Minister, and member of the Grief Ministry where she would write letters of love and support to those who had lost loved ones. As a talented seamstress, she would sew altar cloths and other miscellaneous items needed for the church.  For her dedicated service to the church, Eileen received the Archdiocesan Medal of Honor. She and Gordon were recognized as the Longest Married Couple, both by the Archdiocese of Baltimore and Worldwide Marriage Encounter in Frederick.

Her role as wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister, aunt and friend was always the joy of her life.  As a homemaker, she was a wonderful cook and talented seamstress, often sewing the children’s clothing, prom dresses, wedding dresses and veils.  The warmth of her home reflected these many interests and talents, her faith, and her love for her very lucky family. She loved attending her children’s and grand-children’s sports, theater and school activities.  She was an unconditional hugger, a mom to many, a blue eyed “Betty Boop” who loved to dance, a looker with an eye for style, and of course, Gordon’s sweetheart.  You may read this and recall a letter from her that touched your heart, a phone call from her just when you needed it, an easy smile with a twinkle in her beautiful blue eyes. Eileen gave love and support to all her family and many friends and will be greatly missed by all.

The family will receive friends from 3 to 5 P.M., and 6 to 8 P.M., Monday, June 11, at Holy Family Catholic Community, 7321 Burkittsville Rd., Middletown, MD.  A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated at 11:00 A.M., Tuesday, June 12 at Holy Family, presided by Msgr. Robert J. Jaskot and concelebrated by Rev. J. Kevin Farmer and Rev. John, Moore, all of whom were her pastors at Holy Family and held a special place in her heart.  Close friend, Deacon George Sisson, will also assist.  Interment will follow at Resthaven Memorial Gardens in Frederick. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in her name to St. Martins Home in Catonsville, MD or Holy Family Catholic Community, Middletown, MD.