Eileen Patricia Sinda

Eileen Patricia Sinda, 74, of Athens, GA, died on January 31, 2024.

Born in Philadelphia, PA, Eileen was the daughter of the late Robert W. Martin and Eileen Toner Martin. She grew up in Philadelphia and graduated from Little Flower Catholic High School. She married Richard E. Sinda on January 17, 1970, and they lived in Point Pleasant and Toms River, New Jersey before moving to Martinez, GA in 1984.

In Martinez, Eileen worked as a paraprofessional, media center paraprofessional, and later a teacher in the Columbia County School System for over 15 years. Eileen is a graduate of Augusta University, summa cum laude, where she was proud to be the “old lady messing up the curve.” She volunteered as a board member of the Lakeside High School Band Boosters for 6 years, serving as treasurer and, later, president of the booster organization.

Eileen and Richard moved to Athens, GA in 2002, where they co-owned and worked at the Hertz Rent A Car Family Business. They were active members of the Catholic Center at the University of Georgia; Eileen enjoyed volunteering at the church as a lector and communion server as well as participating in the Women’s Bible Study.

Eileen was a caretaker for her mother until her mother’s passing in 2022. In addition to traveling with together, they enjoyed pushing the football sleds with their personal trainer at the gym and volunteering at the Catholic Center.

An avid letter writer, Eileen established life-long friendships with pen pals around the globe; after retirement, Eileen and Richard traveled extensively to places such as Ireland, England, Barbados, Mexico, Jamaica, Fiji, New Zealand and Australia to sight-see and meet these lifelong correspondence friends in person. Eileen served as a peer ambassador for the pancreatic cancer program run by Andrew Page Pancreas Cancer Fund and the Nikki Mitchell Foundation where she was awarded Ambassador of the Year for 2023 for her extensive work with the organization.

Eileen is survived by her loving husband of 54 years, Richard E. Sinda, Sr; her children, Melissa Lianne Sinda Blizzard and Richard E. Sinda, Jr.; siblings: Dolores (Douglas M.) Craig, Edward P. (Gayle) Martin; and Donald (Victoria) Martin, Sr.; and grandchildren: Adam Glenn Blizzard, Jr., Sebastian Edward Blizzard, and Iliana Margaux Blizzard. She was a devoted wife, loving mother, doting grandmother, and steadfast friend: she will be missed by all of us.

A memorial mass will be held on Monday, February 12 at 10 AM followed by a reception at the Catholic Center at the University of Georgia, 1344 S. Lumpkin St. Athens, GA 30605.

In lieu of flowers, please make donations to Nikki Mitchell Foundation, PO BOX 68305, Nashville, TN 30735 or at nmfcares.org .

Lord and Stephens Funeral Home, EAST, Athens, GA, is in charge of arrangements. www.lordandstephens.com