Visitation
Memorial Mass
Obituary of Eileen M. Acquavella
Eileen M. Acquavella, 84, passed away peacefully on August 20, 2025, surrounded by the love of her family. A devoted mother, grandmother and friend, she will be remembered for her loving, kind and generous spirit.
On November 28, 1940, Eileen was born to Thomas and Mary DeSilva in Brooklyn, NY. Although she was an only child, she grew up surrounded by loving cousins, grandparents, aunts, and uncles.
Eileen met John F. Acquavella when they were both teenagers. They fell in love, married in 1963 and raised two daughters together. In 1989, Eileen and John moved from Brooklyn to Staten Island, NY. There they put down roots in a community of neighbors who became, and remain, cherished friends to this day.
Eileen was the heart of her family and had a talent for creating a loving environment for those around her. She made holiday celebrations extra special with her homemade meals and sweet treats. She loved cooking and her dishes were the mainstay of many family traditions. Her homemade manicotti, soups, and mashed potatoes were legendary amongst the family.
Eileen treasured spending time with her family. She was a stay-at-home mom before embarking on a decades-long career in the banking industry. Eileen was admired for her professionalism, work ethic, and kindness toward colleagues and clients alike. She also had an adventurous spirit and a passion for travel. She cherished exploring new places, immersing herself in different cultures, and creating lasting memories with her loved ones.
Being a grandmother was Eileen’s proudest role. She was affectionately known as “Mimi" and “Anya” by her beloved grandchildren, Ryan and Madison. She delighted in their accomplishments, celebrating every milestone and academic achievement with great pride and joy. She adored watching Ryan's baseball and Madison's softball games, cheering them on, encouraging them, and became an enthusiast of both sports. Nothing brought her more happiness than watching them grow into the people they are today.
Eileen nurtured deep, lasting relationships throughout her life. Friends made at her first job after high school (at the telephone company) are still dear friends today. Eileen also had a knack for remembering every birthday, anniversary, and important date in her family and friends’ lives, never failing to send a card or make a call. She was someone you could rely on for encouragement and friendship in hard times. She lifted others up and genuinely enjoyed seeing them succeed.
Eileen is survived by her children, Veronica and Audra (Richard) and two grandchildren, Ryan and Madison. She is also survived by her niece Elizabeth (Bob), her nephew Alfred (Terri) and their families. She was preceded in death by her parents, Mary and Thomas; her former husband, John; in-laws Connie and Lawrence; and sister-in-law, Lucille.
A celebration of Eileen's life will be held on September 9th from 5-8pm at Dangler Funeral Home (Morris Plains, NJ), followed by a Memorial Mass on September 10th at Assumption Church (Morristown, NJ).
In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to a place close to Eileen’s heart, St. Hubert’s Animal Welfare Center (https://www.sthuberts.org/).