December 22, 2025
Eileen Frances (Burke) Garvin, age 88, passed away peacefully at home in Hingham, Massachusetts, on December 10, 2025.
Eileen was the devoted wife of the late Robert “Bob” W. Garvin, who passed away in 2004. High school sweethearts at Hingham High School, Eileen and Bob married in 1955 and shared a loving marriage. Together, they raised their five children in their homes on Coolidge Avenue and Hersey Street in Hingham.
Eileen is survived by her five children: Robert W. Garvin, Jr. of Port Orange, Florida; Lisa Ann Holbein (Curt, deceased) of Hingham; Kevin F. Garvin (Barbara) of Hull; Pamela J. Hoyes (James), formerly Pamela Tower (Douglas, deceased) of Hanover; and Kathryn M. Veronesi (Paul) of Middleborough.
She is also survived by her seven grandchildren, three step-grandchildren, and seven great-grandchildren. Her grandchildren, in birth order, are Kevin M. Garvin (Lauren) of Weymouth; Jason T. Tower (Althea) of Warren, Rhode Island; Lindsay A. Tower of Weymouth; Sean J. Garvin of Weymouth; Jordan C. Tower (Brian Fitzgerald) of Rockland; Alycia E. Garvin of Hull; and Nikita Garvin of Hanover. Her great-grandchildren are Gracelyn Eileen Tower and Leo James Tower of Warren, Rhode Island; Anthony Garvin and Lily Garvin of Hull; Wren Garvin Fitzgerald and Ewan Douglas Fitzgerald of Rockland; and Bryson Garvin of Weymouth. She also deeply adored her step-grandchildren: James C. Hoyes and Luke Hoyes of Hanover, and Dana Hoyes of Richmond, Virginia.
Eileen is also survived by her sisters-in-law, Marion Garvin of Hingham and Janice Seiferth of Port Orange, FL, and Rosemary Burke of Huntington Beach, CA, as well as many dearly loved nieces and nephews. Particularly close to her were Paula Garvin and Cheryl Garvin.
Eileen was predeceased by her sister, Mary Elizabeth “Betty” (Burke) Maguire (John), formerly of Wakefield, Massachusetts, and her brother, William Henry Burke (Rosemary), formerly of Huntington Beach, California.
Eileen was born in 1937 in Winchester, Massachusetts, to the late William Francis “Frank” Burke and Christine Mary Burke (McVarish), formerly of Hull, Massachusetts. Her mother was originally from Cape Breton, Nova Scotia.
Eileen spent her early childhood in Reading, Massachusetts, before moving to Hull in 1950. At that time, Hull did not have its own high school, so students attended Hingham High School. It was there that Eileen met Bob Garvin, the captain of the football team, which sparked her avid love of football—especially the Patriots. Eileen married Bob in September of 1955 and they made their home in Hingham. Bob later became Deputy Fire Chief of Hingham, and Eileen was an active member of the Wives of Firefighters, especially enjoying the annual Firemen’s Ball. She was also a very lucky lady. She loved playing the slot machines and the lottery – once winning Mass Cash for $100,000!
Eileen was an extraordinary mother. Her children were always her top priority, and she had seemingly endless energy to meet the needs and activities of a busy household of five. She was also a great cook – always from scratch without recipes and the food was fabulous!
When her children became teenagers, she worked part-time at Talbots until the birth of her twin grandchildren, at which point she left her job to help care for them—and later, many of her other grandchildren as they arrived. Eileen and her grandchildren shared a special bond and deeply adored one another. She also shared a mutual love for a furry little ‘grandkid’ named Winnie.
Her next great love was the schoolchildren she transported each day. For more than 21 years, Eileen faithfully drove children to and from school, rarely taking a day off. She understood how important it was for children to have caregivers who show up consistently, care deeply, and keep them safe.
Eileen was a gentle soul with remarkable patience and a wonderful sense of humor. She will be deeply missed and lovingly remembered by all who knew her.
Visiting hours will be held on Sunday, December 21, 2025, from 2:00 to 5:00 p.m. at the Downing Cottage Funeral Chapel, 21 Pond Street, Hingham, Massachusetts. A funeral service will be held on Monday, December 22, 2025, at 11:00 a.m. at Resurrection Church, 1057 Main Street, Hingham, Massachusetts. Burial will follow at High Street Cemetery.
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