Eileen Lambe

A lifelong resident of New Haven, Connecticut, Mrs. John Lambe was born on October 22, 1917 to Mary Hanrahan Kane of England and John P. Kane of Ireland. She died on the morning of Thursday July 28, 2011 at S1. Rafael's Hospital after a short illness. She was the widow of Mr. John J. Lambe, whose death in 1992 marked the end of nearly a half-century of marriage. Mrs. Lambe was laid next to her husband at Beaverdale Cemetery. In keeping with the specific request of the decedent, attendance at the service was limited to the immediate family. Mrs. Lambe was survived by two children, Patricia Lambe of Virginia, and John P. Lambe of Hamden. She was also survived by two of her six siblings, Mrs. Christine Kane Newman of Norwalk and Avon, and Mr. John P. Kane, Jr. of Branford. She was predeceased by daughter-in-law Patricia Gesualdo of Hamden, brothers Mr. George Kane of Hamden and Mr. Francis E. Kane of California, by sisters Miss Kathleen Kane of New Haven who died in childhood, Mrs. Rita Kane Orabona and brother-in-law Mr. John Orabona of Hamden, Dr. Robert Newman of Norwalk, sister-in-law Mrs. Irene Kane and nephew John Kane of Branford. She also leaves behind nephews and nieces Mrs. Kathleen Orabona Antonucci and Mr. James Antonucci of Cheshire, Mrs. Lori Orabona and Mr. John Orabona, Jr. of Wolcott, Mrs. Kathleen Kane Gedney and Mr. William Gedney of East Haven, Mrs. Theresa Kane of Branford, Mr. and Mrs. William Olsen of East Haven, Mrs. Pamela Brush Newman and Mr. Robert Newman, Jr. of Tolland,and Mrs. Diane Newman and Mr. Michael Newman of Texas. A graduate of Hillhouse High School, Mrs. Lambe went on to become a physiotherapist, a career she pursued until the 1970's. Her caring for the sick and disabled and her unwavering dedication to her profession motivated her to leave New Haven to live elsewhere for the one and only time during her life. All of Mrs.Lambe's brothers were on combat duty during the Second World War, so she sought the way she might best serve her country given her particular education and experience. At that time, severe outbreaks of poliomyelitis, limited funding, and Stateside shortages of professionals in most medical service and specialty areas made the appropriate treatment of rapidly growing numbers of young polio patients nearly impossible. Seeking hospitals that seemed to have the greatest need, she volunteered to move first to Pennsylvania and later to West Virginia where she worked at residential facilities for severely disabled children. The experiences she had at those hospitals had a profound effect upon her. This only increased the compassion and caring she had for people with disabilities and indeed for everyone who must find the understanding and strength to overcome the pain, and the wisdom to recognize and celebrate the joys that together make up a life, Mrs.Lambe's involvement in a number of causes, such as the rights, nutritional programs and services for senior citizens. These concerns ultimately included her working as a volunteer and/or appointed board member for various advocacy groups. She was also an active member of the West River Senior Center in New Haven for more than two decades. Among her many interests, Mrs. Lambe was passionate about creative writing. She especially enjoyed writing poems and short stories, a number of which were published in periodicals and anthologies. Most of the writing, however, was done without any expectation of a future audience. It was done for the love of words, the richness of language, the extraordinary expressiveness of the mind, and the limitless store of joy that can be held by the human heart. Writing for her was an exploration of all that and was something she loved doing and remembering until her final days. Mrs. Lambe was very specific about the manner in which she wanted her passing to be commemorated, but fervently hoped that no one would feel excluded by her plan. Her family, friends, and beliefs were and had always been the most important things in her life. They were her joys. She thought that a prayer, a kind thought, or an amusing memory would all be perfect ways to say good-bye. Anyone wishing to pay tribute to her memory in a more tangible way may make a donation to: St. Lawrence Seminary, 301 Church Street, Mt. Calvary, WI 53057

Eileen Lambe

October 22, 1917 - July 28, 2011