EILEEN DOLAN

BRANDON — Eileen May (Wheeler) Dolan was born in Barre on March 3, 1959, to Charles and Hilda (Davis) Wheeler, who predeceased her. She succumbed to her sixth battle with cancer on July 11, 2024, at McClure-Miller Respite House in Colchester.

Eileen spent most of her childhood living in Hardwick with her family. She attended Hardwick schools and graduated from Hazen Union School in the Class of 1977.

Eileen attended the nursing program at Castleton State College, where she met John Dolan. Eileen and John married at St. Norbert’s church in Hardwick on March 31, 1979. They lived in the Brandon area for many years. They recently celebrated their 45th wedding anniversary.

Eileen worked as an aide in several facilities in the Rutland and Brandon area for 46 years, starting with 15 years at the former Brandon Training School, and then at area nursing homes. She retired in May 2024 due to increasing health issues.

Eileen will be remembered for her compassion and devotion to the people she cared for. She will also be remembered for dressing up as a decorated, illuminated Christmas Tree each year and going room-to-room caroling for residents.

Eileen was the Queen of Rummage and reveled in yard sales and flea markets. She also was a prolific crafter and enjoyed crocheting and scrapbooking. She has donated scores of crafted items to various causes such as Operation Dolls.

Eileen is survived by her husband, John Dolan, of Brandon; her sister, Mary Wheeler and husband, Earl Braddee, of Hardwick; brother, Clarence Wheeler and wife Lorelei, of Greensboro; sister, Lee Ann Lee and husband, Richard, of North Wolcott. She is also survived by sister-in-law, Mary Dolan, of Reading; sister-in-law, Amy Greiner and husband, Mark, of Morehead City, N.C.; brother-in-law, David Dolan and wife, Snežana, of Boston, Mass.; brother-in-law, Joseph Dolan and wife, Shanta, of Queensbury, N.Y.; sister-in-law, Carrie Noyes and husband, Aaron, of Littleton, N.H., brother-in-law, Jason Dolan and wife, Karen, of Essex Junction. She also leaves many loving nieces, nephews and cousins on both the Wheeler and Dolan sides of her family.

Eileen became active in the American Cancer Society in 1993 after being diagnosed with breast cancer in 1991. Eileen was on the Kicking Cancer Team Relay in Rutland. She participated in her final Relay not many weeks before she died, and she was singled out for recognition by the organization.

Services will be held at Miller & Ketcham Funeral Home in Brandon on Sunday July 28, 2024 at 1 p.m.  Following the ceremony the family will receive friends, at Brandon American Legion, for a time or remembrance. A second gathering will be held, at the United Church of Hardwick on Saturday Aug. 3, 2024 at 1 p.m., A celebration of Eileen’s life will follow, in the church dining room after the service.

In lieu of flowers, Eileen asked that donations be made to the American Cancer Society’s Hope Lodge, where she lived free of charge during treatment of her two most recent cancers: Hope Lodge, 237 East Ave., Burlington, VT 05401-3412.

Arrangements are under the direction of the Miller & Ketcham Funeral Home, Brandon, Vt. ◊