Obituary of Eileen C. McDonald Sassmann

Eileen Claire McDonald Sassmann entered into rest Tuesday, November 16, 2021 at Vassar Brothers Medical Center, after a brief illness. She was 76.

Daughter of the late Eileen C. (McKay) and Joseph W. McDonald, she was born on June 7, 1945 in Denver, Colorado. Eileen attended St. Mary’s School, Mount Saint Mary Academy and Mount Saint Mary College, graduating with a BA in mathematics. Eileen went on to enjoy a 33 and a half year-long career with IBM as a System Programmer, later earning the level of Senior Technical Staff Member.

In retirement, Eileen became involved in many volunteer activities: chair of the Village of Wappingers Falls’ Comprehensive Plan Committee; charter member, past chair and vice-chair of the Wappinger Creek Watershed Intermunicipal Council (WIC), a collaboration of 13 municipalities to protect and improve the quality of water in Wappinger Creek and Lake; Grinnell Public Library Trustee and secretary to the board; president and board secretary for Mount Saint Mary Academy/High School Alumni Association; Missions & Charity officer for the Ladies Ancient Order of Hibernians; member of the Wappinger Greenway Trail Committee; longtime secretary for the Wappingers Falls Business & Professional Association; member of Catholic Daughters of the Americas, Court Queen of Peace; and recipient of the Mount Saint Mary College Distinguished Alumni Award in 2013. From 2005 until 2007, Eileen was co-owner of Leverage, Inc., a grant business which counted the Village of Wappingers Falls as one of its clients.

Since its inauguration, Eileen was an avid supporter of the Dutchess County St. Patrick’s Parade committee. She was honored to have served as Grand Marshal in 2017.

Eileen is survived by her siblings, John (Theresa) McDonald, TX, Beth (Larry) Bishop, DE and Peggie McDonald, TX; sister-in-law, Donna McDonald, NY; niece and nephews, Joe McDonald, TX, Riordan McDonald, DE, Pete (Kayla) McDonald, TX, and Molly (Tye Gillespie) McDonald, CO; 5 grandnieces and grandnephews, Cody, Tyler, Liam, Payton and Teagan McDonald, all of TX; and many cousins and friends. She was Godmother to many nieces and nephews.

In addition to her parents, she was predeceased by her sister, Theresa, and her brothers, Joe, Pete and Chas.

Eileen’s family would like to thank all of her friends who looked after her and helped her get around over the last few years.

Family will receive their friends on Sunday, November 21, 2021 from 2 to 6 p.m. at Straub, Catalano & Halvey Funeral Home, 55 E. Main Street, Wappingers Falls, NY 12590.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be offered on Monday, November 22, 2021 at 10 a.m. at St. Mary’s Church, 11 Clinton Street in Wappingers Falls. Interment will follow in St. Mary’s Cemetery, Wappingers Falls.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made in Eileen’s name to the McDonald Family Scholarship or the Betty Marie Doran Nursing Scholarship, both through Mount Saint Mary College, or the Grinnell Public Library, 2642 E. Main Street, Wappingers Falls, NY 12590.

For directions or to send a personal condolence, please visit www.StraubCatalanoHalvey.com.