Ellen P. Csakai

Ellen "Eileen" Philomena Csakai, neé Cunniffe (late of Craughwell, Co. Galway, Ireland and North Ft. Myers, Florida, USA) passed away peacefully on August 22, 2026 at the age of 94 at Whitney Place, Westborough, Massachusetts with her loving daughter and son-in-law by her side. Eileen was surrounded by the outstanding care teams of Whitney Place including Salmon VNA and Hospice.

Eileen is predeceased by her beloved husband Lou Csakai, parents Kate and Joseph Cunniffe, brothers Thomas, Paddy and Josie Cunniffe, sisters Maureen Farrell and Breege Somers, loving partner, Andrew Higgins and devoted “sisters-in-law,” Maureen Quinlan and Eileen Wyndham.

Eileen will be deeply and forever missed by her daughter and son-in-law Elaine & Mike St. Peter, her loving sister, Christine Cunniffe Kerr, multiple nieces and nephews and the extended Cunniffe and Quinlan families in Ireland, England, Spain, Australia and the United States.

Eileen is also survived by step grandchildren and great grandchildren, grand nephews, grand nieces, great grand nephews and great grandnieces who always brought a smile to her face when she interacted with them in-person or when holding their treasured photos close to her heart.

Eileen will also be missed by dear friends in Florida, Michigan and New Jersey.

Eileen was born on a small farm, “Lisduff” in Craughwell, County Galway, Ireland on July 15, 1932. She moved to Dublin in her teen years and later emigrated with her daughter to the United States, residing first in New Jersey and then moving to Florida with her husband, Lou Csakai, of Perth Amboy, NJ. Eileen worked as a bank teller, then investment counselor. When she retired, she enjoyed playing tennis, walking and gardening, hosting her friends for dinner parties, welcoming visiting family and friends for holidays, traveling with Lou and enjoying life to the fullest until Lou’s death in 2006.

In her later years, Eileen began to show signs of dementia. She moved to Boston with her daughter and son-in-law, leaving Florida after 40 years. Eileen’s nephew Sean Farrell and his wife, Mary in Athenry, Ireland, both much beloved by Eileen, generously and lovingly welcomed her to live with them for much of 2021, a time she truly enjoyed surrounded by family and little children. In 2022, following a final summer holiday in Ireland, Eileen moved to Whitney Place, assisted living with memory care in Westborough, Massachusetts. Eileen received the best care from the compassionate staff at Whitney Place. Her daughter participated in her care and visited with her daily. Her son-in-law loved singing Irish songs and watching TV with Eileen and always managed to make her smile. Her sister, Christine and nephew Sean with his wife, Mary, traveled from Ireland to see her at Whitney Place in 2023, to Eileen’s great joy.

From beginning to end, Eileen lived her life with grace, courage, confidence and independence, even in the most challenging of times. She was a pillar of strength, an example of fortitude, kind, loving and tough to the end. She was much loved and admired by all who knew her. Her loss leaves a big hole in our hearts and in our world.

Funeral mass and internment to be planned in Co. Galway, Ireland

Ar dheis Dé go raibh a h-anam. (May her faithful and gentle soul be on the right hand of God).