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Marina Osinovsky uploaded photo(s)
Saturday, October 26, 2024
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Kohann and Edwin Williams posted a condolence
Saturday, November 18, 2023
Dear Joe and Family,
We send our condolences and love to each of you, as well as a contribution to Cornorstones in Eileen's name. Wishing you all peace. Treasure your wonderful memories.
Most sincerely,
Kohann and Edwin Williams
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Najwa Saad posted a condolence
Saturday, November 18, 2023
Eileen's generous community support also extended to my Chez Nous Reston Salon, a monthly dinner and discussion group for which she was a gracious and enthusiastic supporter. As attendance grew, we needed a larger space with a kitchen, so I approached her with the idea. She charged me a token fee and allowed us to use the great room each month for more than 2 years. Through her inspired hosting, she encouraged and supported this unusual evening education program, which brought fascinating speakers to Reston. I often remember her kindness as I drive by the school and was so excited to see that it had won an important award. She nurtured many minds and her spirit lives on! Best wishes, Najwa Saad
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Heidi Zollo, Anne Alston, Joanne Collins, Carrie Bruns uploaded photo(s)
Friday, November 17, 2023
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Heidi Zollo, Carrie Bruns, Anne Alston, Joanne Collins.
Our great friend and Democratic activist, Eileen Minarik was a force for good. She opened the doors of the Sunset Hills Montessori School for so many community activities, including our grassroots group – Herndon-Reston Indivisible. It was Eileen’s belief in bringing people together that led to our monthly meetings. Her generosity offered activists, Democratic candidates, and volunteers a platform to express their views. Eileen’s impact is woven into our community; she touched many families and students with her work. Eileen’s presence and spirit will be greatly missed.
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Catherine Fields posted a condolence
Friday, November 17, 2023
We had the best visit at a very long lunch October 25 and were hoping to get together again this past week. She was a terrific person and will be greatly missed.
Catherine Fields
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Rachel Freytag uploaded photo(s)
Monday, November 13, 2023
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Marina Osinovsky posted a symbolic gesture
Friday, November 10, 2023
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We have known Eileen for 15 years. Two of my kids were Sunset Hills Montessori School students, one up to 7th grade and another to 3rd grade. My family was so lucky to enroll them both in Sunset Hils, and both of them were lucky to learn from Eileen how to love nature, animals, plants, fellow students, School and ...BOOKS. She was one of the women I have met in my life, who pursued her dream and took the risk not just once to make the dream come true. She was always smiling, no matter what was discussed, like she never had a bad day. One of my favorites from Eileen: 'He does not want to read books? Let him read Comics, flyers, store signs, does not matter what. He will eventually start to read books" or this one "wearing left sneaker on the right foot - is not a problem, what matters to me - he wants to come to school". Greeting kids in the morning in her famous chair, letting them have a cup of tea and read the book in the book nook if the morning happened to be rough, answering a phone call on Saturday night if things got too rough between siblings and they fight to the first blood, being so humble and so exceptionally talented in many ways. These all are imprinted in my children's minds for the rest of their lives. This is how me and my husband will remember Eileen Minarik. We were so lucky to choose the Sunset Hills Montessori 15 years ago. We were so lucky to chat with her just a couple of weeks ago when she invited my youngest for lunch at Panera Bread. We were so lucky to have her in our lives.
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Marina Osinovsky posted a symbolic gesture
Friday, November 10, 2023
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Rachel Freytag posted a condolence
Tuesday, November 7, 2023
My son and daughter would not be where they are today without Eileen Minarik. Henry and Catherine attended Sunset Hills for 6 years under Eileen's leadership. She was also Henry's classroom teacher in the elementary program for a year.
Eileen believed in Henry when he was struggling with undiagnosed adhd, and her faith in him made all of the difference in his confidence as a student and as a person. She saw the best in him, and gave him the chance to grow and become a leader. He is now a senior in high school, in the top of his class, and I was really looking forward to calling Eileen when he got his first college acceptance, and inviting her to his graduation this spring.
Eileen was so good with my daughter, Catherine, and helped her have faith in herself when she was having a hard time learning to read. She also helped us, as parents, to have faith in 'the process' and not let our anxiety overflow onto our sweet almost 6-year-old. And Catherine did learn to read. Several years later, she devoured all seven of the Harry Potter novels, and she was so excited to come back and visit Mrs. Minarik in her Harry Potter-themed office to tell her. Today, Catherine is thriving in 10th grade Honors English and still LOVES to read. Eileen expressed her love for our whole family countless times, and all we loved her.
Sunset Hills Montessori is exceptional in that it truly adheres to Maria Montessori's philosophy, and it is also a community of families and staff from many different cultures. Eileen had high standards in the outstanding level of Montessori education she provided. She also knew how to select incredibly gifted teachers who had the rare combination of competence and compassion. Every teacher is certified, and that isn't usually the case at most Montessori schools. Eileen chose amazing administrative staff who have kept the school at a level of high-quality that is truly remarkable. When she retired from teaching and the daily leadership of the school in 2014, Eileen instinctively knew how to choose her successor. And Katherine Talemantes has been the best Head of School anyone could have hoped for after Eileen, leading it to be chosen by Washington Parent's magazine as Best Montessori School in VA, DC, and MD for the past two years.
When Eileen sat in the hall every day and shook each child's hand who walked into the school that she grew from the ground up, she made those children feel loved and special. I loved to watch her do this day after day for years. I am heartbroken that we have lost Eileen Minarik. She made such a difference in this world.
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The family of Eileen Marie Minarik uploaded a photo
Tuesday, November 7, 2023
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Karen Forgy Hicks posted a symbolic gesture
Tuesday, November 7, 2023
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We extend heartfelt condolences to the Minarik family and wishes for peace and comfort during this difficult time.
Eileen’s devotion and commitment to children impacted so many families! As former SHMS parents, we are extraordinarily grateful to Eileen and her vision to educate and develop children including our daughter. Eileen’s presence at SHMS and in the community will be greatly missed however her legacy will be felt for years to come!
Karen and Derrick Hicks
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Laura Sternfels Strand posted a condolence
Monday, November 6, 2023
Eileen was a force of nature and has left a huge hole with her absence. But she also made a tremendous positive impact to all the children and parents she helped. I’m very grateful to have known her and that my son and nieces got go attend Sunset Hills Montessori School. My heartfelt condolences go out to her family and other friends.
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Anna Jones posted a symbolic gesture
Sunday, November 5, 2023
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As a parent, I am so grateful my daughter, Mary, attended Sunset Hills. Mary has wonderful memories. Thank you, Eileen. Rest in Peace.
A Memorial Tree was planted for Eileen Minarik
Saturday, November 4, 2023
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We are deeply sorry for your loss ~ the staff at Adams Green Funeral Home Join in honoring their life - plant a memorial tree
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Adams-Green Funeral Home & Crematory
721 Elden Street | Herndon, VA 20170
P: (703) 437-1764 or (703) 471-4090 | E: bill@adamsgreen.com
