Eileen Ruth Fulton (Wilke), age 89, of West Milford, N.J., formerly of Montvale, N.J. died peacefully at home on June 15 after a lengthy illness.
She was born in Springfield, Mass., the daughter of the late Elmer and Helen (Dowd) Wilke but grew up in West Haven, Conn. on the shore of Long Island Sound where she spent her summers swimming which she loved.
She graduated from West Haven High School in 1946 and Beaver College (now Acadia University), Jenkintown, Pa. in 1950.
She was Secretary to the Director of Placement for Yale Law School until her marriage to William K. Fulton of Warnock, Ohio.
She was Executive Secretary to leadership of the American Cyanamid Company and held multiple administrative assistant positions throughout her career in the Northern Bergen County area.
Eileen and William raised their family and lived in Montvale, N.J. for 41 years prior to moving to West Milford, N.J.
Eileen is survived by her husband William K. Fulton, four children, Catherine (Dan O’Connor) Fulton Randolph, VT, Jeffrey (Alison) Fulton of Bonner Springs, KS, Patricia Salerno (Michael) of Providence RI and Michael (Lorena) Fulton of Vernon NJ, and three grandchildren, Christen, Luke and Lara Cevoli. She was also predeceased by her brothers John Wilke of Florence, AL and Robert Wilke of North Haven, CT.
She is also survived by sisters-in-law Eileen Wilke and Betty Fulton, dozens of nieces and nephews and her loving and dedicated personal caregiver, Gilda Figueroa.
Eileen had an outgoing personality, a beautiful smile, an infectious laugh and was loved and respected by all who knew her.
She remained very close to her children and grandchildren, guiding her family through life’s journey with her characteristic compassion, sense of humor and unremitting love.
She will be eternally missed by her family and friends.
A Memorial Visitation was at the Richards Funeral Home 1440 Union Valley Road in West Milford. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made in her name to the Valley Hospice Program of the Valley Health System, Ridgewood, N.J.