After completing a life filled with love and family, Eilene O’Mara passed away peacefully on December 31, 2024, at the age of 96.
Katherine Eilene O’Mara was born on November 8, 1928, in Minden City, Michigan. She was the only child of Elsie (Feury) and Harold Mahon and spent her childhood enjoying the family farm. Her education at the University of Detroit was interrupted when her hometown asked her to fill the open teacher position at their one-room schoolhouse, which she did (teaching grades K-12). She met her future husband, Michael O’Mara, at a family wedding when she was 24. They celebrated 60 years of marriage prior to his passing in 2013.
Mike and Eilene were blessed with eight children: Kathy Long, Kevin O’Mara (Kathy), Sherry Newbern, Patti Long (Jack), Colleen Mueller (Mark), Jim O’Mara, Jeanne O’Mara, and Christy O’Mara. Eilene was the proud grandmother of 17 grandchildren and 22 great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husband, Mike, sons-in-law, Richard Long and Thomas Newbern, and grandson, Adam Long.
Raising eight children kept Eilene quite busy, however, she found time to be active in her church and charitable organizations. She also enjoyed baking, playing cards and games, and quilting and knitting. Mostly, she was happiest when surrounded by family.
Visitation will be on Saturday, January 4 from 10-11am at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Florence, AL, followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 11am. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Hospice of North Alabama, 2457 Mall Road, Florence, AL 35630, (256-764-6445).
