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Eileen Ann Zitnik, 83, widow of James Zitnik, Jr., of Old Saybrook, passed away unexpectedly on Feb. 8. Eileen was born Oct. 16, 1933, in Chicago, Illinois, to the late John Borsuk and Ann Bachar.

Previously residing in Chicago and San Diego, California, Eileen and James made their home in Old Saybrook in 1958. She was a devoted wife and mother who cherished time with her family. After her husband’s passing in 1972, she was employed by the Town of Old Saybrook, first as an assistant librarian in the public school system, and then secretary to Chief Mosca of the OSPD, retiring in 1997. Eileen was a parishioner of St. John’s Catholic Church in Old Saybrook, as well as a member of the Elk’s Club of Westbrook. She delivered Meals on Wheels to the elderly in the Old Saybrook community. She enjoyed traveling; her most memorable trips were to Italy, Spain, and Hawaii. In her later years she enjoyed spending memorable time with her daughters, going to the beach, watching sunsets in her back yard, puttering in the garden, chair yoga at the Senior Center, and watching the birds in her bird feeder.

Eileen will be dearly missed by her three daughters, Noreen Blesi and her husband John, Karen Avery and her husband Steve, and Cynthia Downie and her husband Jamie; her sister Roberta Santino; and her four grandchildren, Marshal J. Beatty, Lindsey N. Downie-Santons, Jamie W. Downie, Jr., and Audrey I.A. Avery. She was predeceased by Dorothy Borsuk, stepmother.

Calling hours were held Feb. 13 at Swan Funeral Home, Old Saybrook. Her Funeral Mass was celebrated Feb. 14 at St John’s Catholic Church, Old Saybrook. Burial will be at a later date at Arlington National Cemetery. In lieu of flowers donations can be made to the American Macular Degeneration Foundation at www.macular.org, or American Heart Association at www.donatenow.heart.org.