Eileen Patricia Candelmo

There’s a little more glitz in heaven. On Friday, January 22nd at the Barron Center in Portland, Eileen Candelmo, took her daughter's hand and followed her into Heaven. She was surrounded by the family she was so deeply devoted to. Eileen was born on April 20th, 1945 in Portland, the daughter of Philip and Bertha O’Brion. She graduated from South Portland High School in 1963. Eileen was happiest when she was helping people, and it was her natural desire to help others that led her back to college in her 40’s to obtain a nursing degree. She worked for Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield of Maine, the South Portland Nursing Home, and the Brentwood Rehabilitation Center in Yarmouth. She adored working with the elderly and always strove to protect their dignity in their final years. A strong patient advocate, she was known for her compassion and would often sing to her patients to comfort them. She was an avid shopper and found great joy in bringing thoughtful gifts to her patients. She was very active in Lyric Music Theater, where her father was a co-founder. In her time at Lyric she performed, produced, and served on the board. Her proudest moment was playing the lead in “Mame” in 2003, repeating the same role her dear friends Ellen Lefevre and Sally Hadley had played years before. She also loved directing the annual Christmas Show. Throughout her life she sang with her sisters, Maureen and Kathleen, in the trio “The O’Brion Sisters”. They performed on the Dave Astor show, the Ken MacKenzie Show and sang backup for Joey and the Country Playboys in the 1960’s. While in New York City auditioning for a USO tour, they appeared on “Play Your Hunch” with Merv Griffin. People often commented on how beautifully their voices blended together. Eileen was very close with her sisters; the three of them were blessed with a strong devotion to one another. Eileen cherished time spent with her children, grandchildren, and great granddaughter. They were the center of her life. She had a special bond with each of them and never missed an event. Whether they were involved in a play, recital, or spelling bee, she would drive any distance to be there. She loved spending summers with them at the ocean and at the camp at Crescent Lake. Her grandchildren referred to her as “Sweet Nana”, a name she adored. Her generosity and spirit permeated other aspects of her rich life. She loved Christmas, and her holiday parties were a highlight of the season. Eileen was blessed with loving, close friends that she considered family. She would do anything for them.

She is survived by her son Edward Candelmo and his wife Arlene, of Bar Harbor Maine; her daughter Catherine Candelmo, of Gorham; her son Philip Candelmo, of South Portland; her Grandchildren, Courtney Candelmo, Shawn Crosby, Haley Crosby of Gorham; Nolan Cammack of Bangor; Peyton Candelmo of South Portland; her great granddaughter Arianna Poole of Gorham; her sisters, Maureen Lowell and Kathleen Routh, of Portland; and her brother Philip Tracy O’Brion, of Miami, Florida. She was predeceased by her daughter Christine Candelmo.

Your life was a blessing, your memory a treasure. You are loved beyond words, you are missed beyond measure. ~ R. Wood

Her family would like to extend their thanks to the Barron Center, the Maine Cancer Center, and Hospice of Southern Maine for their exceptional and loving care of Eileen in her final months. Donations in her name may be made to the Portland Lyric Theater at 176 Sawyer Street in South Portland.

Friends and family are invited to attend a time of Visitation on Thursday Evening January 28, 2016 from 4:00 to 7:00 P.M. in the Jones, Rich & Hutchins Funeral Home 199 Woodford St. Portland, Maine. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Friday January 29, 2016 at 11:00 A.M. in the Holy Cross Catholic Church 124 Cottage Road South Portland, Maine. Interment will be in the spring at Bayview Cemetery in South Portland, Maine. On-Line condolences can be given to the family at www.jonesrichandhutchins.com.