Eileen Sterling White McHugh
Eileen passed away peacefully at home in the early hours of March 20, 2017. She was preceded in death by her parents Nora Twomey and Bowman Sterling, her first husband Charles (Charlie) White of 20 years, her second husband Frank McHugh, of 36 years, her son Daniel, and her step-children Dave, Monica, Tracey and Kevin. She is survived by her children Michael (Cindy), daughter-in-law Mary Ann, Charleen, Marie (Mike), Charles (Kathleen), Nancy (Pete), Pauline, Patricia (George), and Thomas; and her step-children: Karen, Shelley, Mary, and Paul (Linda) McHugh. She is also survived by her 29 grandchildren and 19 greatgrandchildren.
Eileen was born in San Francisco on March 7, 1923. She attended St. James grammar school in the Mission, Immaculate Conception Academy, (ICA), and graduated from Polytechnic High School. She was a proud native San Franciscan who also enjoyed her Irish heritage. After attending Lux Business School she entered and graduated from St. Joseph’s School of Nursing. She left nursing to raise her nine children in Visitation Valley with Charles, (Charlie), a San Francisco fire fighter, whom she married in 1943. For many years Eileen was a dedicated volunteer at the Church of the Visitation. Eileen’s first husband, Charlie, passed away in 1963. She remarried in 1968 to Frank McHugh, also a member of the SFFD, joining their combined families of 17 children. Eileen and Frank were devoted to raising their family and when they found time, enjoyed 36 years of golfing, covering 72 courses here and in Ireland, traveling and spending family vacations in Tahoe.
Her greatest pleasures were attending her grandchildren’s sporting events, playing cards, making local gambling trips, hosting family parties and visiting friends and relatives in California and on the east coast. Eileen was an avid sports fan of the Giants, the A’s, the Warriors and more importantly the Notre Dame Irish! Her beautiful sunny Pacifica home and garden provided Eileen much peace and tranquility during her later years of life.
Eileen’s family is profoundly grateful to her care provider, Bless. She filled Eileen’s days with loving care, funny stories and laughter.
All are welcomed to celebrate the Rosary on Friday, March 31st at 7:00PM at Duggan’s Serra Mortuary, 500 Westlake Avenue, Daly City and the Funeral Mass on Saturday, April 1st at 11:00AM at the Church of the Good Shepherd, 901 Oceana Blvd., Pacifica. In lieu of flowers; donations can be made to Sacred Heart Cathedral High School, Archbishop Riordan High School, or Immaculate Conception Academy.