Obituary of Eileen Beth Finigan

Eileen Beth Finigan, 69, of Simi Valley CA, passed away on May 22, 2015 at home. Funeral service will be held at St. Peter Claver Parish 5650 Cochran St., Simi Valley, May 27, at 11 am, with the Reverend Riz J. Carranza officiating. The Rose Family Funeral Home will be handling the funeral arrangements locally and burial will be at later date in Mechanicville NY. Eileen was born in Troy, NY, to Edward and Mary Ryan on September 5, 1945. She attended Catholic Central High School in Troy NY, and graduated in 1964. She went on to earn a Bachelor degree in Paralegal Studies and graduated Magna Cum Laude from the University of West Los Angeles in 1998, and was a member of the Phi Theta Kappa Society. She worked for the former Bell Telephone system for 32 years, working her way up the ranks from a directory assistance operator to manager of several Pacific Telesis offices. After retiring from her career in telecommunications in 1994, she devoted the rest of her life to helping others with their legal issues. During her legal career she had the good fortune of working with her close friend Attorney Caren Nielsen. Eileen received several recognitions for her legal services, including the Wiley W. Manuel award from the State Bar of California for providing voluntary Pro Bono legal services to the elderly and poor. She served her parish as a Eucharist Minister and enjoyed frequent visits with family and friends and trips to Europe with her grandchildren. Eileen is survived by her son Stephen (Patricia) Finigan, Mechanicville NY, daughter Diana (Steve) Pruitt, Gardnerville, NV, sisters Bertha and Mary Ryan, Regina (Arthur) Millard of Troy NY, brother Edward (Kathleen) Ryan of Schenectady NY, grandchildren Craig Finigan, Megan (Joshua) McLean, Ryan and Stephanie Pruitt, niece Anne Millard and nephews Matthew and Daniel Ryan, Earl and Joseph Millard, Eddie Ryan, and many other nieces and nephews of her late husband. She'll also be missed by her sister-in-laws Ann Marie (Lynn) Finigan-Goman, Patricia Finigan and other dear friends, especially Carl and Rosalie Anderson of Simi Valley and her loyal companion, Bruno. Eileen is preceded in death by her husband John J. Finigan and her parents. Memorial donations may be to the Society of the Little Flower, 1313 N. Frontage Rd,Darien, Il 60561-5340.