Eileen Teresa Luisi, 95, passed away peacefully Jan. 6, 2026, in Orlando, Florida.
Born in Philadelphia to Bernard and Agnes Cory, Eileen was proud of her Irish heritage and known for her effortless confidence and signature red lipstick.
Her life changed on a blind date at a local skating rink with Francis Luisi, a U.S. Navy sailor. Eileen often joked that he was a terrible skater, but he was very cute. Their courtship, marked by long train rides, heartfelt letters and a shared love of dancing, culminated in their marriage in 1950. Eileen embraced her husband’s Italian roots, mastering the family recipes – meatballs recipe and the most delicious Sunday “gravy,” a tradition now cherished by four generations.
Together, Eileen and Francis raised their three children in North Plainfield until Francis’s sudden passing in 1972.
Eileen later moved her family to South Florida and married Edward Lebanowski, who was a devoted stepfather. She was employed by W.R. Grace in Boca Raton, Florida, and loved her work.
Known affectionately as “Mimi” and “Bis Mimi,” to her grandchildren and great-grandchildren, Eileen was the heart of her family. She was wise and playful, patient and feisty, gentle and formidable, all in equal measure. She was a devoted admirer of the British Royal family, often teased by her grandchildren that she must have been the Queen of England in a past life.
Eileen was preceded in death by both of her husbands; her parents; her sisters, Marion Connell and Pat Capputo; her brothers, Donald Cory and Bernie Cory; and her sons-in-law, Giuseppe (Pino) Ferrari and James Filip.
She is survived by her children, Phyllis Ferrari, Francis and his wife Lauren Luisi, and Barbara Luisi and her partner Jim Purvis; her grandchildren, Francesco Ferrari and his husband Zach, Michael Ferrari and his wife Emily, Alexandra Lewis and her husband William, Taylor Waresh and Bryan Luisi; and her great-grandchildren, Jacob Lewis, Jackson Lewis, Jay Lewis and Giacomo Ferrari.
Eileen will be remembered for her quick wit, her playfulness, her coziness, and the enduring love she poured into her home and family. She remains with her family and friends in the traditions she created: rolling struffoli, stuffing manicotti, frying those legendary meatballs and corned beef and cabbage every St. Patrick’s Day.
Visitation for Eileen was held Jan. 16 at John E. Day Funeral Home in Red Bank. A funeral Mass was held Jan. 17 at the Church of the Nativity in Fair Haven. Burial followed at St. Gertrude’s Cemetery in Colonia.
The article originally appeared in the January 29 – February 4, 2026 print edition of The Two River Times.
