Eileen McSherry Scanlan

For Eileen the only time housework came before sewing was in the dictionary. With her needle and thread she could make just about anything. The curtains in her home, much of her own wardrobe, dresses for her daughters and even pumpkin outfits for her grandkids were just some of her creations. Her keen sense of fashion was obvious from an early age. In 1938, she won Miss Atlantic City and due to an odd set of circumstances, ended up filling in for Miss America later that year. Always motivated by her faith, she could usually be found reading religious books, was always active with the Secular Franciscans and gave to just about any charity she crossed. In her later years she developed a strong sense of independence. At age 77, she took classes to learn computers and drove until her late 80s.rnrnAs a young woman Eileen was introduced to a friend’s brother named M. Ward Scanlan. By 1940 they were married. Before his passing in 1997, they did everything from running the Knights of Columbus dances in Palmyra to traveling to Paris, Switzerland and Hawaii. Their lives were blessed by their children: Eileen Rider, Kathleen Deighan (Dan), Suzanne Crowell and Christina Shuetz and again by their grandchildren Ann, John, Eileen, Eric, Dean (Cathy), the late Ward and the late Peter, as well as by Michael, Joey, Alyssa and Benjamin.rnrnCome celebrate Eileen’s 91 years (Dec. 30, 1919-Apr. 5, 2011) Monday from 9-10 AM at the Sweeney Funeral Home, Riverside. Mass of Christian Burial to follow at Resurrection Parish, St. Casimir Site, Riverside. Interment St. Peter’s Cemetery. In lieu of flowers memorial gifts may be made to St. Casimir’s Secular Franciscan 260 Conrow Rd., Delran, NJ 08075.rn