Eileen (Raulli) McMahon's Obituary
Eileen Frances (Raulli) McMahon, Age 94 of Syracuse, NY took her final trip on June 3, 2018 at Pines of Peace in Williamson, NY.
Eileen was born to Raffaella (“Wallie”) Mellone Raulli and Dominic Raulli in Syracuse New York on September 11, 1923. She was the youngest of four children and has no surviving siblings.
Our mother was extremely proud of her lineage and especially devoted to her Mother, who was well known for her generosity. Mom’s interest in family genealogy was extensive and made us realize it is a treasure to know and appreciate your heritage.
Eileen Raulli married our father, Joseph P. Holgado, in 1947 in a gown hand made by her mother from a silk parachute. She later donated the gown to the Smithsonian Museum. Although the marriage ended in divorce, our parents maintained a relationship which provided a solid framework for our upbringing. Dad passed away in 2001. In 1976 she married Gordon “Mac” McMahon, a former professor at SUNY Oswego and professor emeritus of the University of Michigan. She enjoyed her years with Mac very much, in particular their time in Florida. They made a great team volunteering for Meals on Wheels. Mom always felt the need to give back to her community. Mac passed away in 1995.
As a younger woman, Eileen worked for the Syracuse Army Air Force Base and was elected Miss SAAB and Miss Civilian Personnel in 1945. She worked for Colonel Urban Van Susteren, Greta Van Susteren’s father. Mom was tickled when Greta called her after Mom mailed Greta vintage photos of the Colonel. Mom later worked many years as a secretary at SUNY Oswego in the Industrial Arts Department. She was always a friend to the many students who passed through the Department.
Mom was known for her word skills (who could beat her in Boggle or Upwords?), sewing and knitting skills (she made countless newborn baby beanies for St. Joseph’s Hospital and hats and sweaters for her grandchildren and great grandchildren) and collector’s eye. Her delight in the hunt for antiques spanned many decades and included a period of having her own shop/booth “Em’s Collectibles.” She was a regular booth-vendor at the Bouckville Antique Show for many years.
She was a voracious reader and loved books about the Roman Empire. She passed on her love of reading and antiques to us and gave us many items she collected over the years., In her lifetime, she canned and froze a zillion pounds of produce, sewed and tailored our clothes, knitted constantly and taught us the value of saving -as a child of the Depression she valued everything. She was a great cook and taught several grandchildren her special Manicotti recipe.
She also was no stranger to manual labor - she wall-papered, tiled, grouted, sanded, hammered and drilled in our various houses. She once helped Mac shingle a roof! She was politically savvy and progressive in her politics. Her energy level was hard to match.
Eileen was enamored of her grandchildren and great grandchildren and frequently thought of their future.
She loved to travel and took many, many trips to Europe. Her favorite trips were to Sicily and the Amalfi coast.
She is survived by her loving family who will never stop missing her: children, Philip and MaryBeth Holgado, Williamson, NY, Joette Holgado (and Chris Ashwood) Canton, NY, and Lisa Mount, Stamford, CT; six grandchildren: Joseph (Kelly) Holgado, David Holgado, Sarah (and Greg) Cattano, Gena (and Fred) Leonard- Johnson, Max (and Nicole) Mount, Francesca Mount; seven great grandchildren: Jake, Logan, Emma, Josie, Stella, Wyatt and Cody.
She was a strong and loving mother whose favorite saying over the years was an echo of her own mother’s: Pass it on. Mom we pass on your love and generosity and thank you for your Mother’s love over the years. She informed us several years ago that her final words would be: “Death is my ultimate journey. Wish me well.” We wish her happy travels - a trip beyond space and time.
The family will have a private memorial service.
If you wish to honor Eileen’s memory, spend Saturday mornings going to estate sales, travel to Sicily (or anywhere), read books about the Roman Empire, make pizzelles and sugar cookies, and support your children in everything they do. The family encourages memorial contributions to Pines of Peace, 2378 Ridge Rd., Ontario, NY 14519, a Comfort Care Home in the Rochester area.
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