Eileen L. Smith

A firecracker from the start, Eileen was born to Edward and Esther (Clyde) Rojack in New Brunswick, NJ. She grew up in Somerset, graduating from Franklin High School in 1970. Eileen received a full scholarship to Glassboro College (now Rowan University) where she was studying to become a kindergarten teacher. Barefoot and dressed in a handmade peasant dress, her Day Tripper hippie spirit was California Dreamin’ no more! It was here she learned her ultimate profession, accounting. Eileen would return to NJ five years later, meeting the love of her life, Garrett (Gary) by way of her matchmaking Uncle John and his matchmaking Aunt Mary who set them up! Eileen and Gary went on to have two children, Lora and Kevin, who were their world…until grandkids!

Eileen was genuinely beautiful inside and out. In the early 1970s, she was a runway model with Barbizon, often donning wedding dresses under the bright NYC lights. Eileen was the eternal peacekeeper, helping to bridge broken relationships. She also had the absolute biggest heart and best laugh! Eileen fiercely loved her family and friends and often went out of her way to assist complete strangers. A devoted animal lover through the years to Sam, Brandi, Miles and Beau, Eileen always had enough love in her heart for any animal she would meet. She taught her children to judge others only by the content of their character and instilled in them a responsibility to be good humans above all else, leading by example.

Taking her on-the-job accounting education back home, she worked for Tire Associates in Somerset before motherhood, taking time off to raise her kids and then returning to work at the Franklin Township Sewerage Authority (FTSA). She then moved on to Integrated Biosolutions in Dayton which became Celsis Inc., where she met her best friend, Eva. When the company relocated again to Chicago, she ended her career back at the FTSA. Eileen was always a consummate professional and her colleagues can confirm she was a true perfectionist.

In the end, Eileen lost her battle with Alzheimer’s Disease but not without the fight of her life. Her beauty was only rivaled by her strength. Eileen’s care team watched in awe as she walked when she grew too frail, ate when we thought she could no longer, and kept breathing after we thought she took her last breath. Eileen was remarkable in many ways but her strength was unparalleled.

Eileen was the embodiment of joy, leaving a legacy of kindness and positivity. An eternal optimist, she taught her children to look for the silver lining. And so, in light of her passing, her family will welcome loved ones to celebrate her life rather than mourn her loss on Saturday, November 15th from 2:00 - 6:00 PM at her daughter’s home in Tinton Falls. Please join us for stories, photos, food, music and joyful remembrance. For the address, please email: lora.smith.staines@gmail.com.

We envision Eileen on the beach in LBI with a Danielle Steel book in hand, listening to The Beatles, smiling her signature, captivating smile with sunkissed skin and a happy heart. She is whole and free.

Eileen is predeceased by her father, Edward Rojack, father-in-law, John Smith, mother-in-law, Doris (Hanna) Smith, brother-in-law, Joel Mazzucco (Adele), and brother-in-law, Richard Smith (Judith). She is survived by her mother, Esther Rojack who is 103 years young, big brother, Skip Rojack (Gloria), little sister, Adele Mazzucco, loving husband of 48 years, Gary Smith, doting daughter, Lora Smith-Staines (Mike), devoted son, Kevin Smith (Kristina), many cousins, nieces and nephews, and her beloved grandchildren, Sully (12) and Maya (9) who miss their Grammy dearly.

In lieu of flowers, the family is requesting donations to Alzheimer’s New Jersey in Eileen’s name to support other families struggling with this disease and to fund critical research. Please visit the following address for her tribute page: https://tribute.alznj.org/tribute/eileen-smith/.

And in the end, the love you take is equal to the love you make.

Services are entrusted to Jersey Shore Cremation Service, 43 Taylor Avenue, Manasquan, NJ - JerseyShoreCremation.com