Eileen Lois Pallace, retired teacher, traveler
Eileen Lois Pallace, 77, of Lewes, passed away Tuesday, Oct. 10, 2023, at Delaware Hospice Center in Milford. She was born Jan. 19, 1946, in Philadelphia, Pa., daughter of the late Daniel and Edith Boyle.
Growing up in Wayne, Pa., Eileen was a graduate of Radnor High School Class of 1963, where she was a three-sport athlete. She continued her education at University of Delaware and earned her bachelor’s degree in 1967. With an insatiable desire for learning, Eileen earned her master’s degree in English from Washington College in 1979. Thus began her lifelong teaching career.
Eileen began teaching at George Read Middle School in New Castle. She and Jack met during their time as students at the University of Delaware on a blind date and married in January 1968. The couple moved to Dover, where they welcomed their daughter, Christine, later that year. Eileen returned to work in 1974, joining the staff of Caesar Rodney High School. She was named Caesar Rodney District Teacher of the Year for the 1982-83 school year. Over Eileen’s career, she taught English and creative writing, and her love of language and writing was passed on to thousands of students. In many cases, her former students became lifelong friends, and many of her students have gone on to pursue careers in teaching. She retired in 2005.
Eileen loved spending time at the beach. Childhood summers in Ocean City, N.J., vacations in Bethany Beach, and day trips to the Delaware Seashore to hunt for shells and ride waves with Christine, as well as many summers in the Outer Banks, were all fond memories.
Eileen and Jack moved to Lewes following her retirement. Never one to be idle, she was involved in many groups and stayed active. Eileen was a longtime volunteer at Beebe Hospital, she had a large group of friends who enjoyed regular card and mah jongg games, and she enjoyed birthday celebrations with her dearest friends the birthday girls. Eileen also enjoyed her Bible study group at Lewes Presbyterian Church. She was a Road Scholar and avid traveler, Williamsburg being one of her favorite destinations.
Eileen made a priority of spending time with her adored grandchildren, entertaining them and of course educating them, passing on her love of knowledge. Her love of baking was passed on to her granddaughter, Anna, and her love of reading, writing and intellectual curiosity was passed on to both Ben and Anna. Eileen was a loving and devoted wife, mother, grandmother, sister, and friend. Loved by many, she will be forever missed.
Eileen is survived by her beloved husband of 55 years, Jack Pallace; her daughter, Christine Schiltz (Todd); her grandchildren, Benjamin and Anna; her sister, Patricia Wallace (Daniel Peck); her brother-in-law, Robert Pallace; her sister-in-law, Dorothy Pallace; and her many nieces, nephews, and valued friends.
The family would like to extend their heartfelt gratitude to Dr. Amy Robinson, the team of caregivers at Fox Chase Cancer Center, including Dr. Thomas Galloway and Dr. Teresa Lee, as well as the staff of Delaware Hospice.
A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m., Wednesday, Nov. 1, at Lewes Presbyterian Church, 133 Kings Hwy., Lewes, where friends may visit beginning at 10 a.m. Entombment will follow the service at Lewes Presbyterian Church Cemetery.
Arrangements have been entrusted to Parsell Funeral Homes & Crematorium, Atkins-Lodge Chapel, Lewes.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial donations to Habitat for Humanity, P.O. Box 759, Georgetown, DE, 19947, sussexcountyhabitat.org/donate.
Visit Eileen’s Life Memorial webpage and sign her virtual guestbook at parsellfuneralhomes.com.
