- Date Of Birth: September 23, 1911
- Date Of Death: November 1, 2010
- State: Illinois
Eileen Margaretta (Plunkett) Breslin died peacefully on Monday, Nov.1, 2010 at Rosewood Care Center, Galesburg. She was born on September 23, 1911, to Frances Marie and John Plunkett in Cormeen, Stradone, Co. Cavan, Ireland.
In 1929 she came to the US and settled in Chicago. She met her future husband, Michael Breslin, from Donegal, Ireland, at an Irish dance in Chicago. In 1941 they were married and moved to East Peoria. In 1948, Michael and his brother-in-law and partner Edward Plunkett opened Plunkett and Breslin Floorcovering in Galesburg. A few years later the partnership ended. Michael died in 1956 and Eileen took over the management of the business. Years later, their sons, Michael and Patrick, joined her in the business. Eileen retired in her mid 80’s. She was a charter member of Immaculate Heart of Mary Parish. She had belonged to Immaculata Guild, Galesburg Women’s Club, and enjoyed playing bridge.
Preceding her in death were her husband, her parents, her daughter, Mary Carnevale, seven brothers, seven sisters, and 2 grandsons. She is survived by two sisters-in-law, Noreen Plunkett of Northbrook, IL, and Evelyn Breslin, of Mullingar, Co. Meath, Ireland, her three children, Michael (Colleen) Breslin of Galesburg, and children, Megan (Chris) Marek, Sean (Valerie), Brendan; son-in-law Gregory Carnevale of Ada, MI, and children, Anne (Jerry) Cusack, Michael (Kim), Daniel (Shelly); Patrick (Terri) Breslin of Galesburg and step-grandsons, Brad Suhomske (Tory Haas), Tim (Gina) Suhomske; and Jane (Jack) Mentzer of Northbrook, Il, and children Ciara and Michael. Great grandchildren include Abigail, Aiden, Claire, Olivia, Ava, Sophia, Rocco, Rory, Chloe, and Sophia. Mother, Aunt, Grandmother, Great-grandmother, Eileen loved and celebrated her family.
She saw to it that her grandchildren visited their roots in Ireland so that they could know their cousins. When her family joined her for the holidays or family gatherings, she shared her love of Irish song and dance that gave them the joy and laughter they all remember so fondly.
