Eileen Joyce Morgan Stoessel

Sunrise: August 5, 1943 Sunset: April 8, 2025

Service

Saturday, April 26, 2025 |Wake: 10:00 a.m. |Service: 11:00 a.m.

Columbia Community Church |8516 Thomas Williams Way | Columbia, Maryland 21045

Celebration of Life Livestream Link

https://vimeo.com/event/5082510/6bc7904fa3

Interment

New Jersey

Obituary

There were no strangers in Eileen’s life, only friends. As anyone who knew her will tell you, she had a gift for making instantaneous connections with everyone she encountered. Her warmth drew you closer and her smile and joy were contagious. She always had a kind word or compliment that left you feeling special. That’s why her legacy is found in the hearts of the many people she touched during her life. And while we are saddened by her absence, we are also blessed to feel her presence every time we remember her smile, her expressions, and the spark that was uniquely Eileen. 

Eileen’s story began on the island of Jamaica, where she was born to Wilfred and Hazel Morgan, a police constable and pharmacist, respectively. Eileen was their first child and was later joined by her siblings, Lorna, Joy (”Joybells”) and Trevor. They grew up in Bamboo in the parish of St. Ann. 

Eileen had a natural athletic ability and excelled in the games her father set up for neighborhood children. Her talent and drive led to her winning the all-island track and field championship in 1957 on behalf of St. Hilda’s Diocesan High School for Girls. Her team was the first winner of that championship.

After graduating from St. Hilda’s, Eileen worked for the local phone company. She was a social butterfly and made many lifelong friendships in Jamaica. But she was also eager to learn more about the world and further her education, so Eileen emigrated to the United States in 1966. She initially stayed in Brooklyn, NY with her friend Laurice Hines Buchanon, and later married Karl Stoessel, who she had met in Jamaica. Together, they had two children: Vincent (“Kurt”) and Sheryl. Although their marriage later ended, Eileen maintained relationships with Karl and the Stoessel clan, staying especially close to her sister-in-love, Claire Stoessel.

Eileen was fully committed to ensuring that her family fulfilled the promise that America presented. As a single mother, she worked full-time while obtaining her bachelor’s degree in dietetics at Pratt Institute (on scholarship) in Brooklyn, NY and still managed to find time to attend parent-teacher conferences and take family road trips. Eileen enjoyed being a dietician and while in New York worked at Isabella Nursing Home, sharing food and smiles with residents. Her particular favorite was grilled cheese sandwiches with tomato soup, which she believed cured all ills. 

Eileen lived in the Bronx for many years with Kurt and Sheryl and was part of a thriving Jamaican-American community there. In the 1990s, she moved to Columbia, Maryland to be closer to Kurt and loved it so much that she made it her permanent home. She worked in various nutritionist roles and ultimately landed at Presbyterian Home of Maryland as Manager of Food Service until her retirement in 2008. Determined not to be idle, Eileen began working with her community’s afterschool program and quickly became a favorite of the children, who showered her with gifts and tokens of affection. 

After several years, Eileen left the afterschool program and focused on volunteering, scrapbooking and pouring her love into her family and friends. It was also her mission to ensure that her neighbors, her daughter’s home and all of her friends were surrounded by beautiful flowers every spring. Eileen also deepened her relationship with God and found purpose as a member of the Columbia Community Church. 

In 2021, Eileen moved to New Jersey to live with her daughter and son-in-law. And despite battling breast cancer, Alzheimer’s disease and various ailments, Eileen always managed to find the silver lining and was intent on living a life filled with optimism and humor. Over the last two years, this was made possible with the love and support of Cheryl Lindsay, who provided her with exceptional care. In addition, Karl spent many weekends with Eileen, caring for her and reminiscing about old times.

Eileen’s spirit and memories live on in her son Vincent Stoessel; her daughter and son-in-law Sheryl Stoessel Suarez and Antonio Edwards Suarez; her grandchildren Milena Almetica, Kai Stoessel, Eden Stoessel and Mark Suarez; her brother Trevor Morgan; her brother-in-law Mike Thompson and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, relatives and friends across the country and around the world.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to Hilarity for Charity, a nonprofit organization that provides direct support to families living with Alzheimer’s disease.