Eileen Ainsworth
Eileen Alice Ainsworth, 91, a former area resident since 1957, died on May 3, 2025, at Schuyler Ridge Residential HealthCare Center in Clifton Park, New York.
Born on Staten Island, on February 22, 1934, she was the daughter of the late Joseph and Agnes Austin. Throughout her academic life, Eileen was an exemplary student and took great pride in her academic record. Following graduation from Tottenville High School in 1951, she moved on to Nursing School at the Brooklyn Hospital on a full scholarship and received her RN diploma in 1954.
Eileen met the love of her life, Richard (Dick) Ainsworth through her late brother Raymond. Eileen and Dick married on November 6, 1954, and remained a deeply devoted couple until his death in 2018. During the beginning of their marriage, they resided in Nevada during Dick’s Air Force stint and then returned to Staten Island where their first child, Eileen Joyce, was born in 1956.
In 1957, Dick joined IBM and the family relocated to Wappingers Falls, where they purchased their home on DeGarmo Hills Road. Four more children arrived over the years. Eileen fully devoted herself to homemaking and to her family. In 1969, Eileen was instrumental in convincing Dutchess Community College to offer a “Refresher course” for those mothers who wished to return to the workforce using their RN degrees. The response from the community was over-whelming. Eileen’s caring and compassionate ways never faltered. She was always available to listen with empathy and rescue a stray animal. She was a caregiver at heart who took care of her brother growing up and neighbors who needed a helping hand.
Eileen loved exercising to Jack LaLanne on the TV in the ‘60’s, and walking DeGarmo Hills Road over the decades. She was an excellent swimmer and enjoyed swimming laps in Pocasset Lake, on their annual family trips to Wayne, Maine. She was a devoted fan of the soap opera “All my Children” and could be counted on to keep her daughters up to date on the latest episodes. She wrote letters faithfully to family and friends. Eileen loved shopping, looking for “collectibles” and refinishing some of the vintage treasures that she discovered. She loved driving her Corvair despite what Ralph Nadar said about its safety record. She was a wonderful cook and her apple pies were legendary. Most of all, Eileen loved her home and her family and always wanted the best for her family. She was a doting grandmother and great-grandmother who could always be counted on for baby-sitting gigs.
Following Dick’s retirement, Dick and Eileen enjoyed their second home in Blairsville, Georgia, with good friends from their early years. They also enjoyed their trips to Boston, Chicago, Florida, Nevada, and San Diego, and to visit their grown children and grandchildren.
Eileen is survived by her children and their spouses, Eileen and Garth Slocum of Chatham; Judy and Jack Cobean of Arlington, MA; Susan Ainsworth and Eduard Lanzinger of Rhinebeck; Richard Jr. and Beth of Pleasant Valley; and Janet and Joseph Campanella of Clifton Park; her grandchildren, Ellen and Leah (Justin) Slocum, Brandon Cobean, Adam and Evan Finley, Richard Ainsworth III, Nicholas (Emily), Blake (Jessica) and Rebecca Campanella; her great-grandchildren, Arlo, Penny and Addison; and several nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews. In addition to her husband, Eileen was predeceased by her siblings, Richard and Raymond.
Eileen’s family would like to express their gratitude to the staff at Schuyler Ridge in Clifton Park and Peregrine Senior Living in Colonie for their devoted care of Eileen, and for making our family part of their communities.
Calling hours will be held on Tuesday, May 20, from 10:00am-12:00pm, followed by a funeral service at the William G. Miller & Son Funeral Home, Inc., 371 Hooker Avenue, Poughkeepsie. Interment will follow at the Poughkeepsie Rural Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the American Cancer society or to a charity of your choice.
If you wish to leave an online condolence, please visit our website at www.wmgmillerfuneralhome.com