Eileen Sheehan Sonderland, age 86, of Pawleys Island, South Carolina, died peacefully on October 23, 2024.

Eileen was born in Jersey City, New Jersey in 1938 to Rose Sheehan. She strongly identified with her Irish heritage and was raised a devout Catholic. As an Irish Catholic middle-child raised in New Jersey, Eileen had no choice but to be a tough firecracker. After graduating from Saint Michael's High School, she married her beloved late husband Arthur Sonderland on September 19, 1959. Both flourished in their careers, had three children, remained devoted to each other, and built an amazing life together. Artie and Eileen built their dream home in Pawleys island in 1997 and became devoted to the Precious Blood of Christ Church. When Artie was diagnosed with end stage cancer, Eileen threw him in the car and took him on a cross-country trip - their final adventure together before his death in 2000. Through the church, Eileen volunteered her time in Pat's Kitchen, made life-long friendships, and found community support.

Eileen Sonderland was preceded in death by her husband Arthur, son Michael (survived by wife Maureen), and daughter Sharon. Eileen is survived by her daughter Susan and grandchildren Jennifer (Elizabeth), Jessica, and Timothy (Stephanie) Gillies, Christine (Nicholas) Hults, and AJ McKay and great grandchildren, Madelyn, Aubrey and Joshua Hults, Jack, Charlie, Benjamin, and Connor Gillies. Eileen also found friends that became family in Pat Kitowicz, and her daughters, Amy and Jennifer.

A Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 2:00 PM on Monday, October 28, 2024, in Precious Blood of Christ Catholic Church, 1633 Waverly Road, Pawleys Island. Inurnment will follow in the church columbarium.

Services are being directed by the Downtown Chapel of Mayer-Ethridge Funeral Home and Crematory, 222 St. James Street, Georgetown.