Obituary of Eileen C. Langan

Eileen Langan of Morris Plains passed away peacefully Friday, December 22, 2023, surrounded by the love of her family. She was 78 years old.

Born on April 17, 1945, to the late James and Bridget (Hayden) Redmond, Eileen was the youngest of eight children. Growing up in Manhattan, she was doted on by her older siblings and competed in Irish step dance, partnering with her nephew Hank. After graduating from St. Joseph’s branch of Cathedral High School, Eileen took a job at J.P. Morgan Guarantee where her life changed when she met Kevin, a young accountant from New Jersey.

Engaged six months after their first date and married five months later, Eileen and Kevin began their family in Lyndhurst and Passaic before putting down roots in Morris County. A devoted mother to her six children, Eileen volunteered at their schools, cheered too loudly at sporting events, and welcomed their friends as if they were her own. 

As parishioners of St. Virgil Church in Morris Plains, Our Lady of the Lake in Sparta, and finally Assumption Church in Morristown, Eileen and Kevin built a life centered on God and family. Eileen’s Catholic faith was a mainstay that saw her through serious health challenges that began when she had triple bypass in her 30s. Eileen kept moving forward, relishing the joy of her children’s marriages and the blessing of each new grandchild. She loved the pleasure of a good book, time spent with her nieces and nephews, and summer days by the pool with Kevin and their children and grandchildren. She marveled at having traveled to over 15 countries in her lifetime with Kevin.

Whether sharing an Entenmann’s cake over a cup of tea, venturing to Broadway with her theater group, or gathering for a quiet dinner, Eileen's life was enriched with friends. Celebrating their Irish heritage, Eileen and Kevin famously hosted an annual St. Patrick’s Day party for many years - complete with a midnight parade on their small dead-end street. A member of the Irish American Association of North West New Jersey and the Sisters of St. Brigid, Eileen proudly marched at Kevin’s side when he was Grand Marshal of the Morris County St. Patrick’s Day Parade in 2008.

In addition to her parents, Eileen was predeceased by her infant daughter, Dolores; her brothers, Michael, John, James, and Patrick Redmond; and her sisters, Mary Derry, Bridget Frain, and Dolores Maguffin.

Along with Kevin, her husband of 58 years, Eileen is survived by her children, Theresa Orben and her husband Chuck, Bridget Zambarano and her husband Alan, Patti Coulthurst and her husband Dave, Jean Marie Nascimento and her husband Leo, and Kevin Jr. and his wife Megan (Phillips). She also leaves behind 14 cherished grandchildren: Andrew, Ken, Joe, Grace, Derek, Gavin, Tim, Elizabeth, Brendan, Sofia, Kevin III, Isabel, Leonardo, and Nicolas. Eileen is also survived by beloved nieces and nephews who were a cherished part of her life.

Eileen’s family would like to express a special thank you to Dr. Karel Raska and all the doctors and staff of Morristown Cardiology whose specialized care resulted in more than 40 additional years of love and memories. 

Family and friends are welcome to gather on Friday, December 29, 2023 from 4-8pm at Burroughs, Kohr & Dangler Funeral Home, 106 Main Street, Madison. A Mass of Christian Burial for Eileen will be held on Saturday, December 30, 2023 at 10:00am at Assumption Church, 91 Maple Avenue, Morristown. (For those who cannot attend the Funeral Mass for Eileen, it will be live-streamed on Assumption Church's website www.assumptionparish.org.) Interment will follow at Holy Rood Cemetery, Morristown.