Eileen Fogarty Citrano

Eileen Fogarty Citrano passed away peacefully after courageously battling Alzheimer’s disease for many years.

Born on August 4, 1942, in Omaha, Nebraska, Eileen spent the early part of her life in Omaha, a city she always cherished. She took great pride in attending St. Cecilia Catholic School through high school and Duchesne College both located within two blocks of her childhood home. In 1965, while pursuing a Master’s degree in History at Georgetown University in Washington, D.C., she met the love of her life, Jim Citrano, a U.S. Marine, who was a friend of her brother, Ed Fogarty.

Jim and Eileen were married in Omaha in 1966 and moved to Pensacola, Florida, and later North Carolina while Jim completed his service in the U.S. Marine Corps as a helicopter pilot. In 1972, they settled in Jacksonville, Florida, where they raised their four children and established a life rooted in Catholic faith, family, and community.

Eileen’s lifelong passion for Catholic education began in Omaha, where her own formation at St. Cecilia and Duchesne College instilled in her a deep appreciation for faith, discipline, learning, and service. Those values became central to who she was and ultimately led her to her vocation as a teacher. In 1976, she joined the faculty at San Jose Catholic School, where she taught junior high for 37 years before retiring in 2013. Teaching was more than a profession—it was her calling. Generations of students knew her as a dedicated educator who held high expectations, gave generously of herself, and cared deeply for every child entrusted to her. She found tremendous joy in watching her students grow, both academically and personally.

Eileen was a devout Catholic and deeply proud of her Irish heritage. She was often known to enjoy a pint of Guinness with family, friends, and colleagues from San Jose. An avid runner, she loved competing in Jacksonville’s Gate River Run and other local races. She shared an exceptionally close bond with her five sisters and two brothers, and she treasured spending every summer in Omaha with her children, creating lifelong memories with her extended family. She also loved traveling with her sisters, and throughout her life, family remained her greatest priority.

Eileen lived her life quietly but powerfully. She believed in showing up for others with kindness, generosity, humility, and a steadfast sense of purpose. Her family was the center of her world, and she created a home filled with love, laughter, tradition, and unwavering support. In retirement, her greatest joy came from supporting her grandchildren—who affectionately called her “Kay Kay”—and attending their many activities and milestones. She was deeply proud of her country, profoundly appreciative of the service of both her husband, Jim, and her son, Thomas, as United States Marines, and devoted to the Jacksonville community that she called home for more than five decades.

Eileen was preceded in death by her parents, Edward F. Fogarty and Margaret D. Fogarty; her siblings, Margaret Fogarty Lonero, Sheila Fogarty McGill, and Thomas Fogarty; and her beloved husband, James P. Citrano.

She is survived by her children, Sheila Bontempo (Thomas), James P. Citrano Jr. (Hillary), Thomas Citrano (Beth), and Kara Leonard (Eddie); her grandchildren, Maggie Rose and Georgia Bontempo; James Citrano III; Janie and Emily Citrano; Quentin and Gabe Citrano; and Cal and Michael Leonard; her sister, Mary Monson (Jack); her brother, Edward Fogarty (Joni); and her sister, Cathy Fogarty.

Service Details

A Rosary/Visitation will be held at San Jose Catholic Church on Friday, August 7th, at 7:00 PM. There will be a Funeral Mass on Saturday, August 8th, at 10:00 AM.

Immediately following the funeral, friends and family are invited to gather at The River Club (1 Independent Drive, Jacksonville, FL 32202) to celebrate Eileen’s life, share memories, and honor her remarkable legacy.

In Lieu of Flowers

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial donations be made to San Jose Catholic School, 3619 Toledo Road, Jacksonville, Florida 32217, in honor of Eileen’s lifelong commitment to Catholic education and the countless students whose lives she touched

Services have been entrusted to Moloney-Hewell Funeral Home and Cremation Services 4140 University Blvd S. Jacksonville, Florida 32216.