Eileen M. (Patterson) Cheevers, of Dorchester and Edgartown, died peacefully on July 8 after a valiant struggle with Lewy Body Dementia.

She was the beloved wife of the late Charles F. Cheevers and the loving mother of Mary Ellen Geary and her husband, George; Charles F. Cheevers Jr. and his wife, Stephanie; Deborah Driscoll; George R. Cheevers; James Cheevers and his wife, Diane, and Joseph Cheevers and his wife, Maria. She was the cherished grandmother of Cate Bates, Bill Driscoll Jr., Jenny Cheevers, John Driscoll, Alison Cheevers, Michaela Cheevers, Charles Cheevers 3rd, James Cheevers, Annie Cheevers, and Natalie Cheevers and the great-grandmother of Austin Bates. In addition to her immediate family, Eileen is survived by her nieces, Leslie, Robin and Tracy Patterson of California and many Patterson, O’Connor and Kingston cousins in Ireland. She was predeceased by her brothers, George Patterson of California and Robert Patterson of Boston.

Eileen was born and educated in South Boston, the loving daughter of George and Helena Patterson. She was a graduate of Nazareth High School, class of 1940, and Wyndham Secretarial and Finishing School. She was an employee of New England Telephone Company and a loyal member of Cedar Grove Civic Association.

Eileen was the late grandniece of Margaret K. Norton of Edgartown. Eileen’s parents came to the Island in the early 1900s to visit her father’s aunt, Margaret Norton. Subsequently, the Pattersons spent their honeymoon in 1917 at the Island House in Oak Bluffs. In 1929, George Patterson purchased property on Pinehurst Road, where many generations have continued to enjoy their summers. In 1991, Eileen built a second cottage on the property so more family could be together for vacations. Eileen instilled a deep love and appreciation for the Island into her children and grandchildren. She especially loved the ocean and the Edgartown Library.

Eileen’s funeral and interment have taken place. She is interred at the National Cemetery in Bourne beside her late husband. Her family is forever grateful to their brother George, who devotedly cared for their mother at home with the assistance of Nancy Walsh, Eileen’s caregiver of eight years. Donations in her memory may be made to the Lewy Body Dementia Association, Inc at www.lbda.org/go/donate.