Eileen Bleeks Dietl, 72, wife of John W. Dietl, of Norwalk, died peacefully at home with her family at her side on Tuesday, May 31, following a lengthy illness.
Born in Queens, New York, January 5, 1944, Eileen is the daughter of the late William J. and Eileen Mason Bleeks. Prior to retirement, Eileen was a bank officer at the former Union Trust Company. A member of St. Thomas the Apostle parish, Eileen enjoyed working at the St. Vincent de Paul Society, the parish thrift shop, and regularly helped with tag sales to benefit those in need. Eileen loved to stay active, and, prior to her illness, kept busy SCUBA diving, swimming at the YMCA, rollerblading, and dancing. In quieter times, she listened to music and was an avid reader. Together with John, Eileen enjoyed dining out with and entertaining friends, cheering on the UCONN Huskies and New York Yankees, and traveling to their favorite places – Rockport, MA, Old Saybrook, CT, and Pompano Beach, FL. Above all else, Eileen loved spending time with her family.
In addition to her husband, survivors include three daughters, Michele Mace and her husband, Charlie, of Norwalk; Lisa Hellstrom, of Harrison Township, MI; Mary Anne Hundley, of Sebastian, FL; brothers, Bill Bleeks and his wife, Terry, of Wells, VT; Tom Bleeks and wife Susan, of Bethany, CT; grandchildren, Anthony and Christine Mace; Brian, Courtney and Blake Hundley; stepchildren, John Dietl and his wife, Pamela Fitts, of Tampa, FL, Jayne Mehner and her husband, Robert, of West Wardsboro, VT; Christine Desser and her husband, Jason, of Westport, CT; Sarah Dietl and her partner, Robert Montuoro, of Stratton, VT; ten step-grandchildren, and one step-great grandson.
Eileen’s family appreciates the excellent care provided by her doctors and nurses throughout her illness. They are especially thankful for Eileen’s caregiver, Genice Gordon, who was constantly by her side in her final months.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at St. Thomas the Apostle Church, 203 East Avenue, Norwalk, at 10 a.m. on Tuesday, June 7. Burial will follow at St. John Cemetery, Richards Avenue, Norwalk.
Friends may call Collins Funeral Home, 92 East Avenue, Norwalk, from 4 to 8 p.m. on Monday, June 6.
In lieu of flowers, family requests memorial contributions to the St. Vincent de Paul Society, c/o St. Thomas the Apostle Church, 203 East Avenue, Norwalk, CT 06855; Vitas Healthcare, 456 Glenbrook Road, Stamford, CT 06906; or ElderHouse, Inc., 7 Lewis Street, Norwalk, CT 06851.