Obituary of Eileen M. Hmielewski

Eileen M Hmielewski nee Stepuch, 98, of Toms River, NJ peacefully entered into eternal rest at her home on January 1, 2024. Eileen was born on October 21, 1925, to Mary & Joseph Stepuch in Jersey City, NJ. She was a graduate of Ferris High School, Jersey City, where she was a spirited cheerleader. Lovingly named, Rara, as her grandmother name later in life, Eileen often reminisced of her cheerleading days sharing "Rah Rah Sis Boom Bah". Her spunky personality attracted the love of her life, Henry, during their high school years. The pair, though being drawn to one another, had to separate while Henry served in WWII. Eileen worked at A. Harry Moore School in Jersey City, NJ in the medical department. When Henry returned from war, he and Eileen were excited to start their new lives together, and the two were married on April 17, 1948, and later welcomed children Allen and Karen. Eileen and Henry retired and moved from Jersey City, NJ to Toms River in 1976. As a retired couple, the pair spent a lot of time with their children and grandchildren, participating in every dance recital, chorus concert, and football game they could. The two also loved watching The Jets on Sundays, attending shows at the Paper Mill Play House, taking their grandchildren to Lancaster, PA annually, and hosting their friends and family around the year. Most of all, Eileen's favorite role was Mom and Grandmother. Eileen was an active member of St. Joseph's Church where she served as a member of the Rosary Altar Society and volunteered as a religious education and Bible Camp teacher. Eileen and Henry attended daily mass at St. Joseph's, where you could also find them serving the adoration chapel from midnight to 1 am. Everyone who knew Eileen knew how much she loved to buy cookbooks and cook gourmet meals. She loved family and tradition, a love that she passed on to her children and grandchildren. Wigilia at Christmas and Swienconka at Easter are some of the traditions her daughter and granddaughters will always continue. She had a knack for fashion, teaching her girls to "try on everything, it only takes one" when searching for the perfect thing to wear. Eileen was always donned with the fanciest costume jewelry and clip-on earrings and dressed to impress. Some of her granddaughter's favorite memories with her were shopping and lunch dates out with their Rara. Eileen is predeceased by her sweetheart, Henry. She is survived by her adoring daughter, Karen, and son-in-law Marvin Badach who were Eileen's devoted caregivers, and son Allen, and wife Donna Hmielewski. She is also survived by her loving granddaughters Amanda (and her husband Joey Harte), Meghan (and her husband Adam Miick), and Whitney (and her husband Bobby Fox). Additionally, Allison (and her husband Daniel Iannaccone), Jason (and his wife Monica) and Tyler Hmielewski. Rara was regularly doted on by her sweet great grandbabies; Parker, Jackson, Avery (Harte), Saylor, Harper (Miick), Gunnar and Kora (Fox); also Brielle, Braden (Iannaccone), Jay Jay, and Chase (Hmiewlewski). Visitation will be held on Friday, January 5, 2024, from 4 - 8 pm at Kedz Funeral Home, 1123 Hooper Avenue, Toms River. A Mass of Christian burial will take place on Saturday, January 6, 2024, at 10:30 am at St. Joseph's Church, 685 Hooper Avenue, Toms River. Interment to follow. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Eileen's name to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital (stjude.org/donate).