Eileen Mary D’Aurelio

Eileen Mary D’Aurelio (nee Sarlouis) age 77 was born December 17^th, 1943 and died peacefully on January 28^th 2021 after a short spiral with cancer.  Her family was by her side during her final weeks to care for her as she faded making her departure from earth as profound and beautiful as her life was upon it. Her final words reassuringly asked that we not be sad – that she had a happy life and that she loved us all.  Even in her final moments she concentrated what few breaths remained toward providing comfort for others.  

Eileen most recently resided in Ohio with her husband, son and daughter-in-law after spending recent years enjoying RV living in Florida during winters and Chardon during summers. She grew up in Akron, attending and graduating from Akron’s St. Mary High School in 1961 where she received awards for her acting in school plays and where she played basketball and developed a lifelong passion for the sport which eventually grew to a love of all Cleveland sports teams as well as Ohio State. She went on to attend St. Thomas School of Nursing where she studied to be a registered nurse.  After leaving Akron, she moved to Newbury where she raised her three sons with her husband Robert.   

Eileen dedicated her life to selflessly helping others realize their happiness. She began her career as a nurse caring for newborns in the pediatric ward at St Mary’s Hospital in Akron Ohio before pausing her career to dedicate her energy toward raising her three boys which were her “greatest joy.”   As her son’s grew and realized the success and happiness that she had tirelessly prepared for them, Eileen returned to a successful career caring for the elderly in nursing homes where she evolved her love of acting to become an entertainer for those in her care often dressing up and putting on plays with the staff to entertain at locations like Holly Hill Nursing Home.   Her endless enthusiasm to go above and beyond for people eventually helped her rise to become the president of OANAC (Ohio Association of Nurse Assessment Coordinators) and as a Nursing Consultant for Omnicare Pharmacies where she traveled the state hosting seminars and providing education to nurses in long term care facilities throughout Ohio.   She was an active member of St. Helen’s Catholic Church parish where she sang in the choir and volunteered her recent time to help coordinate weddings and funerals for area families as well as helping plan social outings for senior members which became known as her “Prime Time Players” group.  She also sang in choirs at St. Mary’s in Chardon & Our Lady of Mount Carmel in Willoughby for a time, was an active volunteer for Birthright in Chardon and was recently a proud bragging member of the Hula Kats comedy and performance group at Hawaiian Isles RV Resort in Ruskin Florida.  Like her father before her, Eileen spent countless hours in her gardens nurturing plants and flowers that she would relish as they bloomed – much like the people around her bloomed as a result of her selfless love.

Eileen will be remembered for being loving, positive and independent and for her appreciation of life and the selfless love she provided for her family and friends especially when they faced hard times.  Eileen’s vocation was also her personal passion. She often took what she had learned throughout her career to assist her family and friends during their times of greatest need. She would give everything she had to assure others had what they needed, often with little regard for herself.  She lived in the moment.  Her face in most photographs beamed with pride for whatever company and occasion prompted the camera’s moment.  She appreciated life.  She would speak of Birds, Flowers and Sunny Days with the same excitement & energy that most reserve for large occasions.  Spending time with Eileen would always result in a greater appreciation for the beauty of life due to her unique ability to live within that moment and positivity.  She was talented and independent.  She would meet any challenge by learning how to overcome it and providing the necessary fix.   The home she provided for her family was symbolic of this – with every room having been redone personally by her own hands from tile work to landscaping.  

Eileen’s loving impact on her sons, their families and her six grandchildren and two great grandkids as well as all the friends that she touched will ensure that her energy continues to perpetuate on earth now that her soul has ascended beyond.   Her greatest joy was her family and she will be dearly missed. Her death is sad and difficult for us all – but the happiness and beauty of her life will be what we remember and perpetuate in her honor. The family thanks all family, friends, coworkers and acquaintances for whatever part you played in her happiness.  When the pandemic subsides we look forward to seeing you all in person and celebrating Eileen’s life with a Celebration of Life Party. 

Private Family Mass of Christian Burial Friday February 5th, 2021 at St. Helen Catholic Church 12060 Kinsman Rd., Newbury, OH 44065 at 1pm ET.  The family asks that you respect their wishes that only immediate family will be invited to attend Mass inside of the church (husband, sons and their families). The link for the livestream will be available at https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCVyB3TBINOXwTyvGreTZBPg (St Helen’s YouTube channel – also linked at https://www.sthelen.com/ ) beginning February 5th at the time of service. Mass will be livestreamed so you can view from the safety of your home & parking lot attendance is welcome if you would like to receive the Eucharist where you will be able to listen through your FM radio or livestream on your mobile device. Cremation following by DeJohn Crematory.

Optional calling hours at The DeJohn Funeral Home & Celebrations Center of Chesterland 12811 Chillicothe Road (Rt. 306, just south of Mayfield Rd)  Thursday February 4th 4-8 PM. Some immediate family will not be in attendance due to COVID concerns and there will be limited ceremonial execution beyond distanced visitation 4-8p and a prayer at 7pm.  This wake is for anyone that feels the need to achieve closure specifically via a final viewing – please don’t feel any obligation to put yourself at risk beyond your personal discretion.  Support for the family and honoring Eileen will be focused primarily on the streamed mass and an upcoming in-person Celebration of Eileen’s Life party which will take place post-covid.  Online obituary, guestbook, & order flowers at www.DeJohnCares.com

A Celebration of Eileen’s Life party is being planned for a later date when it is safe to gather – e-mail Brian at brilio@mac.com to receive information when it becomes available.  

EILEEN MARY D’AURELIO (nee Sarlouis) was the beloved wife for 55 years of Robert “Bob”; loving mother of Gregory  (wife Joan), Michael (wife Debbie) and Brian (wife Kirsten Winquist); devoted grandmother of Mercedes Prodan (husband Scott), Ryan, Megan, Jackson, Alise, and Wren and great-grandmother of Rylan and Rory Prodan; cherished daughter of the late Martin and Mary (nee Koerber) Sarlouis; dearest sister of Joseph Sarlouis (wife Martha deceased), and the late Marcella Kilfoyle (husband Bill deceased), and Margie James; dear aunt Nini and great-aunt of many.

In honor of Eileen’s  selfless pursuit of helping others and her early work in Pediatrics – contributions may be made in memory of Eileen to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105 or at the following web page: https://fundraising.stjude.org/site/TR/GiftFunds/GiftFunds?px=6910440&pg=personal&fr_id=39300

 VIDEO TRIBUTE TO EILEEN