Eileen (Boyce) Heminger, the beloved daughter of Jeremiah (d. 1940) and Luella (Murray) Boyce (d.1985), passed away peacefully the evening of Monday, January 12, at her home surrounded by members of her family. Throughout her life, Eileen made it a point to bring joy and optimism to family and friends, always finding the best in everyone she encountered and finding hope in all challenges she confronted. Eileen was born on November 9, 1935, and made Fort Wayne her home for her entire life. As a young girl, she attended St. Patrick's Elementary and was a proud graduate of Central Catholic High School, Class of 1954. Eileen devoted years to her career, working in the Allen County Auditor’s Office, Mutual Security Life Insurance during which she earned an associate’s degree from IPFW, and Lincoln National Life. Eileen loved to travel, often visiting her grandchildren and attending their school events, athletic contests, and musical performances. Nothing was more important to Eileen than family, as the close bonds of her mother and three brothers early in life shaped her into a mother who created joy and resilience within her children. Surviving Eileen are her children Matthew (Ann) of Portland, OR; Lynn Taylor of San Antonio, TX; Nanette (John) Houser of Fort Wayne; Jennifer (Mike) Zumbaugh of Dexter, MI; and Karen (Eric) Wilmer of Fort Wayne. A great source of Eileen’s joy are her 14 grandchildren: Melanie (Austin) Henderson, Amanda (Sam) Ballenger and Thomas Heminger (Marja Diaz); Ashley (James Reid) Taylor-Reid, Olivia (Victor) Gomez and Sarah (Tim) Smith; Caitlin and Lauren Houser; Nathaniel and Ben Thomas; Michael and Megan Zumbaugh; Sam and Andy Wilmer. Eileen was also blessed with six great grandchildren: Boyce and Campbell Colleen Henderson; Mac Ballenger; Journey Gomez; Sage and Blake Smith. She is also survived by her brother Jim (Janet) Boyce and sister-in-law Dorothy Boyce. She was preceded in death by Tom, her husband of 47 years; daughter Colleen Thomas; father Jeremiah; mother Luella; her brothers Patrick, Jerry, and Tim Boyce, and Tim’s wife Judy. A celebration of Eileen’s life will be held on March 21 at 12:00 p.m. at FairHaven Funeral Home and Cremation Services, 6557 N. Clinton St., Ft. Wayne. Visitation is from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. Memorials can be made to the Salvation Army in honor of Eileen.