Eileen Hyland

Groton — Eileen P. (Flanagan) Hyland, 73, passed away at Smilow Cancer Hospital due to complications of cancer on Tuesday, May 29, 2018.

She was born in Jersey City, N.J., on May 9, 1945, to Marion and Joseph Flanagan.

She is survived by her husband, George; brother, Robert (Lynn) Flanagan of Brigantine, N.J.; sister, Mary Flanagan of Long Branch, N.J.; many cousins, nieces and nephews; and her best friend and sister-in-law, Kathleen (Hyland) Lahey of Bridgewater, N.J.

Eileen married George P. Hyland on Feb. 25, 1967, in Jersey City, N.J. and celebrated 51 years together. She was a 46-year member of the ladies auxiliary of the Fleet Reserve Association having served in every office in the local unit. She served as president of the New England Region in 1990 to 1991 and again in 2016 to 2017.

Eileen was a very generous person always ready to assist anyone in need. She had a great sense of humor and could always make you laugh. She made friends wherever she went. She will be missed by her many friends and family.

She was employed by Beacon Cleaners of New London, Fusconi’s Cleaners of Groton and as a courier for Waller, Smith and Palmer. She accepted the challenge of being the first ombudsman for the USS Philadelphia, SSN 690 and was happy to assist the families of the crew.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30 a.m. Monday, June 4, 2018, at Sacred Heart Church, 56 Sacred Heart Drive, Groton. Burial will follow in Colonel Ledyard Cemetery. Calling hours will be held from 1 to 3 p.m. and 6 to 8 p.m. Sunday, June 3, at Byles-Groton Memorial Home, 310 Thames St., Groton.

Please visit www.byles.com for directions or to sign the guestbook.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the ladies auxiliary of the Fleet Reserve Association Unit 20, 242 Thames St., Groton, CT 06340 or to VNA of Southeastern CT, 403 N Frontage Road, Waterford, CT 06385.