A New Orleans native, Eileen incorporated the city's exceptional cuisine, incredible sense of fun and gracious hospitality throughout her life. Her parents, John Ford and Anne McNeely Ford had six children and the family loved the city and their time at the McNeely farm in nearby Covington, Louisiana.

An outstanding student and athlete, Eileen attended Behrman High School and Louisiana State University, graduating in chemical engineering. She was the only woman in her engineering classes, which she took in stride supplementing the academic rigor with an active sorority life and cheerleading. After joining IBM, she was fortuitously sent to Columbia University for graduate studies. James ("Jim") Simon, who was living in Boston, rode the NYC bound train every weekend, where the two did all the Big Apple had to offer, culminating with a marriage proposal in Central Park.

Jim and Eileen were a fantastic match for nearly 65 years, settling in Cincinnati and parenting six children with relish. Their house was often full; all six children frequently brought home friends to experience Eileen's wonderful hospitality. Jim and Eileen were delighted to add six grandchildren to the many festive gatherings and were particularly thrilled to celebrate Christmas together every year.

A natural leader, Eileen was actively involved in many organizations that enriched her family's life including Ursuline Academy, Moeller High School, and All Saints Parish. She was also active in the Republican party, successfully launching several campaigns at the local, state, and federal level and founding The Pancake Breakfast in 1992, whose 400 strong attendees recently honored her.

After discovering tennis in her 40s, Eileen loved playing competitive doubles for the ensuing four decades. She collected many trophies but was such a gracious winner, collected even more tennis friends along the way.

Eileen loved and was deeply loved by her immediate and extended family including 31 nieces and nephews. She is survived by her sister Patricia Ford O'Quinn; children: Celeste (Brian Keith), Michelle (William Slack), Patrick (Lisa Lam), Stephanie, Michael (Katalina) and Kevin (Dana) and grandchildren: Kelly and Kathleen Bentdahl, Marcella Slack, and Maria, Matthew, and Willow Simon. Eileen was preceded in death by her parents, beloved husband, brothers: Jack, Patrick and Harvey, and sister Francis Denson.

Visitation will be held from 6-8pm on July 29th at Gilligan Funeral Home (8225 Montgomery Road, 45236) and the Funeral Mass will be held on July 30th at 10:30 am at St. Vincent Ferrer Church (7754 Montgomery Road, 45236). In lieu of flowers, donations are welcomed at the All Saints Education Fund , or the Jim & Eileen Simon Scholarship Funds at Ursuline Academy or Moeller High School .

All Saints Education Fund
8939 Montgomery Rd, Cincinnati OH 45236
Tel: 1-513-792-4732
Web: https://allsaints.cc/school

Ursuline Academy
5535 Pfeiffer Rd, Cincinnati OH 45242
Tel: 1-513-791-5791
Web: https://ursulineacademy.org

Moeller High School
9001 Montgomery Road, Cincinnati OH 45242
Tel: 1-513-791-1680
Web: https://bit.ly/FMHyzdu