Obituary of Eileen Joy Krieger

Eileen Joy Krieger, daughter of the late Mac and Minnie Burns, passed away on Monday, September 18, 2017, at the age of 87, surrounded by her family and loved ones in Hollywood, FL, following a long struggle with heart and lung disease. She was born in Brooklyn and was formerly a long-time resident of Woodridge, NY, until moving to Hollywood, FL, ten years ago.

The inscription chosen by others to go beneath Eileen's high school yearbook photo was Proverbs 3:17: "Her ways are ways of pleasantness, and all her paths are peace." Eileen had wisdom of the heart and generosity of spirit that touched everyone in her life. Leaving college to marry and raise a family, Eileen never looked back. She loved travel, movies, golf, books, music, art, theater, and greatly admired creativity and intelligence. But mostly, Eileen loved people. Exceptionally empathetic, she accepted others for who they are and possessed a gracious nature that encouraged and inspired those she loved to attain whatever goals their hearts desired. Her husband Harvey often tells of how, before they met, he would see her in Woodridge and wish to get to know her, yet it was getting to know her mother that hooked him. He saw that Eileen would, like her mother before her, become a strong, loving, and accepting nurturer rich in kindness and wisdom. Her last years were gifts sustained against great medical challenges by an inner strength and love of life that was, and remains, an inspiration.

She was predeceased by her daughter, Lynne DeGraw, and her son and daughter-in-law, Bart and JoAnne Krieger. She is survived by her husband of over 67 years, Natt H."Harvey" Krieger, son Dr. William Krieger of Hollywood, FL, daughter Marci Kling and son-in-law Barry of Framingham, MA, and son-in-law Wayne DeGraw of Nashville, TN; grandchildren: Neeka, Gavin, and Joey DeGraw, Jessica Briel and husband Peter, Adina and Benjamin Kling; great-grandchildren: Anahlea, Eden, and Cameron Jaccarino, Kylie and Ryan Briel. She is survived by brothers: Richard Burns and sister-in-law Leda of Pembroke Pines, FL and Arthur Burns of Tusten, CA, sister-in-law Ruth Krieger of Pinecrest, FL, and dear friend of 65 years, Dorothy Zalkin of Weston, FL. She is survived by many beloved nieces and nephews, and by a tribe of men and women for whom she was an adopted mother, grandmother, friend, and confidante. She had more than enough love for all.

The family remains grateful to her loving and devoted caregivers, Lucklean Toney, Ethel Vanterpool, Amber Molitar and Melissa Tafur, and to the doctors who gave Eileen more good years than she might otherwise have enjoyed: our cousin, Dr. Diane Krieger, Dr. Howard Berlin, Dr. Brian Gotkin, Dr. Abbe Rosenbaum, Dr. Axelrod, Dr. Patrick O'Gara, and Dr. Lowell Schnipper.

A graveside service will be held at 12 noon on Sunday, September 24, 2017, at Workman's Circle, Marsh Road, Glen Wild, NY. Rabbi Stamler will officiate. Immediately following burial, shiva will be held at the home of Wendy and Michael Levinson, 29 Colonial Road, Monticello, NY.

Arrangements under the direction of Colonial Memorial Funeral Home, for further information call 845-434-7363 or visit www.colonialbryantfuneralhome.com