Harrisburg, PA – Eileen Connors, wife of Communicators Hall of Famer Jerry Connors and office manager for Hall of Famer Max C. Hempt at Hempt Farms, passed away Jan. 13 of the inevitable ongoing complications of dementia. She was 74.
Eileen first saw harness racing when her mother, Mary Jane, took her and her brother David to their hometown York (PA) County Fair (both predeceased her, as did her father, World War II veteran Richard Gay).
After graduating from York Suburban High School (where she played the flute in the school band), Eileen primarily worked in retail in the York-Harrisburg area, then took a job at Harrisburg’s Telegraph Press, printer of the Harness Horse magazine and other industry publications, where she worked for Hall of Famers Bowman Brown and Les Ford. She was then recommended to Hempt at Hempt Farms, “the home of the Keystones,” where her knowledge of the farm’s horses and the industry, combined with her inherent intelligence, helpfulness and friendliness, contributed to keeping the farm running efficiently under the direction of Hall of Famer Hempt.
Her final job combined many of these same qualities: in administration, especially as switchboard operator, for the Pennsylvania Veterinary Laboratory, part of the PA Department of Agriculture and located across the street from her husband when he worked for the State Harness Racing Commission. Eileen specialized in finding correct information and delivering it quickly and clearly to a customer or a coworker.
Eileen was an unofficial member of the Chamber of Commerce of Las Vegas, her favorite city; she was well-traveled. She enjoyed antiques, flea markets (a trait which she inherited from her parents), and police procedurals, whether in print or video form. Eileen also enjoyed all things Disney and marveled at the great season posted by champion Miki And Minnie.
Eileen has no blood survivors. Missing her will be her husband, his family, and the many friends who enjoyed her laughter and perspective.
Her sister-in-law, Theresa Connors, a teacher of anatomy at Philadelphia’s Drexel University, persuaded Eileen to donate her body to science, so she will be giving to the world even after her passing, helping to instruct the doctors of tomorrow.
There will be no memorial service. Those who might want to honor her memory could donate to Capitol Rehabilitation, 4100 Linglestown Road, Harrisburg, PA 17112, the nursing home where Eileen spent her two+ years and where she spread much joy into her fellow residents’ lives. At her instruction, please include a note for Capitol to use any gift to staff more workers on weekends, especially people to talk to residents along with their medical treatment.
The photo on the last cover of the Harness Horse magazine, of racing at Holly Hurst Training Center (PA), was taken by Eileen Connors.
The cover had one word – “Adios.”