Obituary of Eileen F. McGackin

Eileen F. McGackin, 71, of Freehold passed away peacefully at Jersey Shore University Medical Center, Neptune Township on Thursday, May 25, 2023, surrounded by her family, after a courageous and brave battle with MDS. Eileen was a fighter even at the early age of 13, when she fended off all the girls and got the man of her dreams. Together, she and Ricky created a beautiful life and a love story that inspired so many. After graduating high school, Eileen attended Barbizon Modeling School, but decided to marry Ricky. She was mostly a stay-at-home mom, dressing her girls up in pretty dresses (that she made herself) and pigtails. Ricky always said she raised her girls right, but she was quick to point out that he raised his girls with their truck driver mouths. She was also the best babysitter to several nieces and nephews as well as her grandchildren. She enjoyed taking care of her immediate and extended families. She loved to dance. Anywhere there was music playing, you could find she and Ricky dancing. Some of her favorite singers included Kenny Rogers, Lionel Ritchie, Barry White and Celine Dion. She also had a soft spot for RUN DMC’s “Walk this Way”. She loved to watch Nascar, tennis and her beloved Dallas Cowboys. Eileen was predeceased by her parents, William and Ann Jacobs, a brother Donald Jacobs, and her best friend, Colleen McGackin. She is survived by the love of her life for 53 years, Ricky; daughters and sons in law Kim and Mike Petrula, Karri and Carl Costagliola and Katie Connelly and Mike McKeon; eleven grandchildren: Michael and his fiancé Haley, Ben and his girlfriend Christina, Connor, Anna, Michael, Patrick, Elizabeth, Rebecca, Tim and his wife Alyssa, Collin and Carson, and one great grandson, Theo. She is also survived by her brother William Jacobs, Jr. and her sisters Valerie (Chuck), Lynn (Buzz), Cindie (Mike) and Elaine (Mike); brothers and sisters-in-laws Lester (Gail), Jerry (Joan), Kathy and Jane; as well as countless nieces and nephews. Visitation will be held at Higgins Memorial Home, 20 Center Street, Freehold on Wednesday May 31 from 4-8 pm. A Mass of Christian Burial celebrating her life will be held on Thursday, June 1 at 10:30 am at St. Rose of Lima Church, Freehold. In lieu of flowers, donations to the Graeme Preston Foundation for Life, 151 Broadway, Freehold NJ 07728 are greatly appreciated.