EILEEN PAYNE

Eileen Rose Cannon Payne, of Neenah, died March 2, 2011, at her home. She was born June 30, 1917, in Chicago, Illinois, the oldest child of Mabel and Cleo Cannon. She spent her childhood in Neenah graduating from NHS in 1934 and attended Lawrence College and graduated from UW-Madison in 1938. She married B. Patrick Payne on September 18, 1938, and moved to Lancaster, WI, where their children, Susan and Tom, were born. They later moved to Madison where she involved herself in the League of Women Voters, Phi Beta, a thespian group, and the Democratic Party. Eileen worked at WMTV and later WIBA radio. Upon returning to the Fox River Valley, she was active on the boards of Big Sisters and the YWCA. She was a docent and active member of the Friends of Bergstrom-Mahler. The American Association of University Women was a wonderful outlet for her writing and acting skills. She belonged to many book clubs and was always recommending good books to friends and family. She was strong in her convictions and loyal to her friends whom she enjoyed immensely. In her later years she enjoyed her grandchildren and great-grandchildren both here at home and at the family cottage. Eileen is survived by her sister, Ruth Valenzuela, daughter, Susan Payne Morrissey, and son, Tom Payne; there are seven grandchildren, 10 great-grandchildren, and two great-great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents, brother, Sam, and husband. There will be a gathering at her home on Saturday, March 5, 2011, from 1:00 p.m. until 4:00 p.m. for friends and family. It was her wish to gather and have a happy, social occasion. In lieu of flowers, she has requested that contributions be given to enrich the Big Sisters of Neenah-Menasha, Inc. or the American Civil Liberties Union. That way, my conservative friends can choose the former, my liberal ones the latter, and everyone will be happy.