Eleanor M. Stine

Eleanor M. Stine, age 87 of Fairfield, beloved wife of the late George E. Stine, passed away peacefully Saturday, February 2, 2019 at Compassionate Care Hospice in Hamilton, NJ. Born in Bridgeport, the daughter of the late Chester and Kate Szymkuc, she had been a lifelong Fairfield resident prior to relocating to New Jersey in late 2016. She was a graduate of Roger Ludlowe High School. Eleanor developed her love of music at a young age playing in her father's Polka band. Her great passion for the piano and teaching others, she started teaching piano at a young age and did so for over 50 years. She was the music teacher at Holy Family School for 29 years. She also served as the organist and choir director of Holy Family Church for over 25 years. She directed many church and school performances as well as played in several dance recitals. She was a member of the Holy Family Parish Council, Ladies' Guild and volunteered for many years at the church's Bingo games. Eleanor loved teaching music and was so very fond of all her students, and took great joy playing music for all the church events from Masses to weddings and funerals. Her greatest joy however was spending time with her family. Survivors include three beloved children: Richard Stine and his wife Mary Ellen of Trumbull, Mary Ann Downey of Moosic, PA and Joanne Smart and her husband Jim of Pennington, NJ; a brother, Chester (Chet) Szymkuc of Fairfield; eight loving grandchildren: Chuck Stine, Maggie Henriques and her husband Jason, Richard Stine and his wife Mary Katherine, Jonathan Stine, Heather Bird, Timothy Downey, Michael and Kenny Smart; four cherished great-grandchildren: Kyleen and Crystal Bird, Wyatt and Presley Henriques and several nieces and nephews. In addition to her husband, she was predeceased by her daughter, Kathi Stine, granddaughter, Kate Stine and her sister, Carole Coarse. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Thursday, February 7, 2019 at 10:00 a.m. at Holy Family Church, 700 Old Stratfield Road, Fairfield. Interment will follow in St. Thomas Cemetery. Friends may call Wednesday from 4-8 p.m. in the Spear-Miller Funeral Home, 39 South Benson Road, Fairfield. In lieu of flowers friends may consider a donation in Eleanor's memory to The Sudden Arrhythmia Death Syndrome Foundation (SADS), 4527 South 2300 East, Suite 104, Salt Lake City, UT 84117-4448. (www.SADS.org). For information or to offer an online condolence please visit www.SpearFuneralHome.com