Eileen T. Rise (née Heath), 82, of Rumson, passed away peacefully in her home May 5, 2026. She was born May 18, 1943, in the Bronx, New York, to Thomas and Mary (Cushing) Heath. Eileen was raised in the Bronx and spent her summers in Leonardo.
Eileen enjoyed a long and successful career as the manager of Channel Club Tower in Monmouth Beach, where she worked for 30 years before retiring in 2016. She also dedicated a great many years of support and service to the Arthritis Foundation, as well as almost a decade of volunteering at Holy Cross, most notably working on the long-running antique shows held there each year. Later in life, she worked at the Rumson Library, volunteering her time to a place she held dear.
Eileen had a deep love of travel and adventure, visiting more than 60 countries throughout her life. She also always treasured her weekly dinners with her close-knit circle of longtime friends, and had the remarkable ability to form new friendships wherever her travels took her.
One of Eileen’s greatest passions was gardening, a labor of love that drew frequent admiration from neighbors and passersby. She was an avid reader who faithfully read The New York Times each week and always completed even the trickiest of crossword puzzles. Eileen found her greatest fulfillment as a grandmother, choosing to retire early so she could be a devoted and loving presence in her granddaughters’ day-to-day lives.
Eileen was predeceased by her husband, John Rise, in 1991; he was a wonderful partner and gave her much happiness.
She is survived by her devoted daughter Heather Bilanin and her husband Jason of Fair Haven, as well as her cherished grandchildren, Avery and Sophie Bilanin. Eileen is also survived by her brother Thomas Heath and his wife Cathy; her niece Kelly Flinn; her nephew Thomas Heath and his wife Janine; her great-niece Caroline Flinn; and her great-nephew Henry Heath.
Family and friends may gather from 1 to 4 p.m. Sunday, May 17 at the John E. Day Funeral Home, 85 Riverside Ave., Red Bank. A funeral Mass will be celebrated at 10:30 a.m. Monday, May 18 (what would have been Eileen’s 83rd birthday) at Holy Cross Church, 30 Ward Ave., Rumson. Burial will follow at Fair View Cemetery in Middletown.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Eileen’s memory to the Parkinson’s Foundation at parkinson.org.
Memories and condolences may be shared at johnedayfuneralhome.com.
The article originally appeared in the May 14 – 20, 2026 print edition of The Two River Times.
