Eileen Lemmon passed away on Wednesday, October 9, 2024 at JFK Medical Center in Edison. She was 84 years old. Born on January 29, 1940 to the late Anne and Albert Heckroth in Brooklyn, NY, Eileen was raised alongside her four beloved siblings: Bob, Peggy, Mary, and her twin Kappy. Eileen was a graduate of Saint Brendon Diocesan High School in Brooklyn. Since 1965, Eileen had resided in the Avenel section of Woodbridge Township.

Eileen was a paraprofessional with the Woodbridge Township Board of Education for 25 years, retiring from Indiana Avenue School #18 in Iselin in 2013. Throughout her career as a dedicated teacher's aide, Eileen ensured that each of her students benefited from her compassion and wide range of knowledge.

Eileen was a woman of deep Catholic faith, steadfastly attending mass each weekend at her beloved Saint Andrew Church in Avenel where she served for many years as a Eucharistic minister and active member of the Altar-Rosary Society. A dedicated volunteer, Eileen lovingly devoting her time to her church where she taught CCD, counted money each Sunday, organized and prepared food for the local shelter, handled numerous responsibilities at monthly bingo, and expertly washed and ironed the altar-linens without fail. Whenever and wherever she could, Eileen gave back to others.

In addition to her parents and siblings, Eileen was predeceased by her husband, Robert D. Lemmon, in 1988. Her marriage to Bob was one of lasting love, mutual respect, shared laughter, and joyful dancing. Bob was the love of her life and best friend. Eileen supported Bob's dedication to the Knights of Columbus where she waitressed for countless years, laughed with friends at the K of C picnic, and joined them in Wildwood for the annual convention.

Surviving are her children, Kim Lemmon of Edison; Michelle Martino and her husband, William, of Brooklyn, NY; Lori Elliott and her husband, Anthony, of Woodbridge; and David Lemmon and his wife, Denise, of Mountainside; and grandchildren, Robert Martino, Ryan Martino, Jane Lemmon and Eleanor Lemmon.

A kind, thoughtful, tremendously generous woman, Eileen was simultaneously strong-willed and easy going. A favor asked of Eileen was a favor obliged. In her adulthood, Eileen enjoyed being active, completing a daily two-mile walk through her Avenel neighborhood, participating in 5k fun runs, picking up her spares in bowling, and enthusiastically playing volleyball in numerous weekly leagues.

A loving grandmother, Eileen adored her grandchildren, pitching baseballs in the backyard to Robbie and Ryan, spending Fridays at gymnastics with Jane, and reading countless books to Ellie in the library. Grammy hugged like she meant it because she did. Eileen remembered all of the lyrics from the songs of her childhood and happily shared them with her children and grandchildren. Eileen loved spending holidays with her family. Her Thanksgiving ham with pineapple sauce was a delicious staple alongside her perennial side dish: turnips & carrots. Eileen was an avid baker whose currency was banana bread and biscotti. Her tri-level brownies were life-changing. Eileen was a lifelong lover of crossword puzzles; every morning began with her pot of tea and daily crossword (solved in pen). Eileen passed down her love of card games and board games to her children and grandchildren. She was an Uno expert and a cutthroat Sorry! player. Eileen loved cheering on the New York Mets and never missed a Grand Slam tennis tournament or episode of Big Brother. More often than not, Eileen's house was a temporary home for her children's pets. At Camp Grammy, Mr. Pi the cat and Stout the dog were thoroughly and affectionately spoiled.

Eileen will be deeply, deeply missed by all who knew her. Through her kind deeds and loving words, Eileen's legacy will live on forever.

Visiting hours will be on Wednesday, October 16, 2024 from 4:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. at Costello-Koyen Funeral Home, 399 Avenel Street, Avenel. A Funeral Liturgy will take place on Thursday, October 17, 2024 at 9:45 a.m. at Saint Andrew Catholic Church, North Madison Avenue, in Avenel. Interment will follow at Saint Gertrude Cemetery, Colonia. In lieu of flowers, contributions to Covenant House New York, 460 West 41 Street, New York, NY 10036, or Salesian Sisters of Saint John Bosco, 659 Belmont Avenue, North Haledon, NJ 07508-2397 in Mrs. Lemmon's memory would be greatly appreciated by her family.