Eileen Ruth Wilk-Walsh, 82, beloved wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister, and friend, passed away on January 30, 2025, in Virginia Beach, VA.
Born in 1942 in Brooklyn, NY, to Abraham Wilk and Renee Dubov, Eileen excelled in academics and earned her degree from Brooklyn College before beginning her career as a teacher. After starting a family, she pursued further education, obtaining a Master’s in Business Administration, which led to a successful career as the Manager of Operations for the Depository Trust Company.
Eileen is survived by her husband of 42 years, Joseph Walsh III; her children Shari (Craig) Elice and Jeffrey (Karen) Wasserstein; her stepchildren Joseph Walsh IV, James (Colette) Walsh, and Elizabeth (Kevin) Bulger. She was the “Bubbie” and grandmother of Reena (Jake) Kupferberg, Esther Wasserstein, Dora Elice, Ariel Wasserstein, Jack Elice, Reyut Wasserstein, Jared Elice, Joseph (Laura) Walsh V, Elizabeth Walsh, Brendan Bulger, and James Bulger. Eileen was also Bubbie to two great-grandchildren: Zoey Kupferberg and Joseph Walsh VI. Eileen is also survived by her brother, Eli (Mady) Wilk and her “sister” by another mother, Pearl Doctor (Jerry Becker).
A passionate Master Gardener, Eileen’s heart belonged to her beloved daylilies, which she collected and nurtured with care. Eileen was a long time member of the Virginia Beach Master Gardeners and the Greenhouse Society, as well as a past member of the Day Lily Society. Eileen participated in education with these organizations, and taught classes to help others learn. Eileen held her own annual Greenhouse Society Plant Sale, with plants that she bred throughout the year.
She volunteered her time gardening with many different organizations in the Virginia Beach area through the years, where she made many dear friends. An avid reader, Eileen was also at the library frequently, getting the latest books to devour. She kept lists of books that topped the chart so that she could reserve them to read as soon as they were available.
A private natural burial will take place in Cedar Grove, NC.
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