Eileen Hartnett

Eileen Gaffney Hartnett, age 92, passed away peacefully, on February 11, 2021, in Boiling Springs, South Carolina. She was the widow of William Joseph (Mr. Bill) Hartnett. They were married for 63 years. Eileen was born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, on March 2, 1928, to James Aloysius and Marie Kerrigan Gaffney. Eileen attended Westinghouse Memorial High School in Wilmerding, Pennsylvania, graduating in 1947. Upon her graduation, she worked for ten years at the Westinghouse Electric facility in East Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, as the managing head receptionist in the Office Employment Division. She and her husband Bill moved with their five children from Pittsburgh to Columbia, South Carolina, in 1969, when he was transferred with the Westinghouse Nuclear Fuel Division. Eileen was the oldest daughter of six children in her family which included James Jr., John (Mary), Patricia, William, and brother-in-law Edwin Spitzer, all deceased. Eileen has one surviving sister, Donna Gaffney Spitzer of Winter Springs, Florida, and a sister-in-law, Delores Gaffney of West Mifflin, Pennsylvania. She was the loving mother of Marie Hartnett (Richard) Paris of Roswell, Georgia; Patricia Hartnett (Frederick) Menzer of Boiling Springs, South Carolina; John William of Columbia, South Carolina; William Joseph, Jr. of the home; and JoAnne Hartnett (John) Painter of Wyckoff, New Jersey. She also leaves behind her five grandchildren who she adored, Ashley Redding Hartnett of State College, Pennsylvania, Christopher Ewin (Nicole) Paris of Decatur, Georgia, Katherine Bogert Menzer of Spartanburg, South Carolina, Colleen Marie Painter, and John William Painter both of Wyckoff, New Jersey; her great-grandson, Joshua Ewin Paris, as well as numerous nieces, nephews, great-nieces, and great-nephews. She was a member of the Arlington Women's Club (North Versailles, PA) and the Gardendale Garden Club (Columbia, SC). Eileen enjoyed decorating, sewing and baking. Her home in Columbia was many times recognized as the Yard of the Month in her neighborhood. When she moved to Boiling Springs, she volunteered for eleven years at Boiling Springs High School to help decorate for their prom. She made bows for many of her neighbor's Christmas trees and wreaths. She learned French hand sewing to create her grandchildren's baptismal gown. She was famous for making cookies and cupcakes for her neighbors and for her grandchildren when they were in college. She was a beautiful swimmer and diver and spent countless hours playing with her grandchildren in the family pool. Eileen was a voracious reader of biographies, history, and her daily newspaper. Until her death, she was a member of St. Paul the Apostle Catholic Church in Spartanburg, South Carolina. A visitation is scheduled from 9:45 until 10:45 AM on Saturday, April 10th, 2021, in the narthex of St. Paul the Apostle Catholic Church, 290 East Main Street, Spartanburg, South Carolina. Masks and social distancing are required. A Memorial Mass will follow at 11:00 AM. The honorary escort will be Mrs. Hartnett's caregivers who she loved so very much. Eileen's children will be forever grateful for the care they gave to their mother. The interment of her ashes will take place following the Mass in St. Paul's Columbarium. The family has asked that in lieu of flowers, donations may be made in memory of Eileen to the St. Paul the Apostle Building Fund, 161 Dean Street, Spartanburg, SC 29302, or Spartanburg Regional Healthcare Hospice, 686 Jeff Davis Drive, Spartanburg, SC 29303. Floyd's North Church Street Chapel To send flowers or a memorial gift to the family of Eileen Gaffney Hartnett please visit our Sympathy Store.