of North Little Rock, AR

December 30, 1955 - October 13, 2024

EILEEN HENDERSON O'SULLIVAN, 68, of North Little Rock, Ark., died surrounded by family on October 13, 2024, after a sudden and unexpected brain aneurysm.

She is survived by her husband of 45 years, Patrick O'Sullivan of North Little Rock; their daughter Kelly O'Sullivan of Chicago (Alex Thompson) and grandson, Milo; their son Dr. Kevin O'Sullivan of Texarkana; and sister Barbara Henderson Forest of Sherwood, as well as four brothers-in-law and many nephews and nieces.

Born in Tulsa, OK, on December 30, 1955, she is preceded in death by her parents, Bill and Mary Brown Henderson, and sisters Mary Ann Henderson Richter and Rebecca Henderson.

Her ashes will be buried alongside her family at Carlisle Cemetery.

Eileen was the best mother, wife, sister, daughter, friend, and granny anyone could hope for.

Whip smart and exceedingly clever, she had a mischievous wit and deeply generous heart. She was genuinely curious about everyone she met, was a gifted conversationalist, and made sure everyone at a table felt included.

She loved reading to her children when they were young, giving each character a unique, enthusiastic voice. She read the same cherished books to her grandson, Milo, with equal gusto. She loved singing and dancing for him and making him squeal with delight. She was so much fun.

She said she was shy, but was often the life of the party. She loved to be silly. She organized the best dirty Santa games and stashed cash in the ''worst'' gifts. She facilitated everyone coming home for holidays, cleaned like crazy for the week before, and worked hard to cook a meal for everyone to enjoy.

She was physically beautiful her whole life. People often marveled how she didn't seem to age. She had the most gorgeous long, blonde hair. She loved to hike, walked at a breakneck pace, and would leave any slowpokes in the dust. She called her laugh a cackle, but it was pure joy.

She had a healthy and infectious skepticism of authority. Her comments were often unfiltered. A priest once said she had a belligerent look during church. When he said to bow heads, she would lift her chin. She had a great deadpan stare when met with dopes. Her temper was fiery. She drove at nearly dangerous speeds.

She was immensely compassionate and empathetic, denounced bullies, and stuck up for people and animals who were picked on. She didn't eat pork because pigs are so smart and wouldn't eat lamb because they hadn't had a chance to live.

She LOVED being a mother and grandmother. Her grandchild, Milo, lit up whenever he saw her. She was often the smartest and funniest person in the room. Her love for her children was and is enormous and steadfast. They always knew she was proud of them, and they loved making her proud. She was married to her beloved husband, Patrick, for 45 years, and often said how lucky she was to have snagged him. They loved doing crosswords together, visiting their children, playing Jeopardy, and teaching Milo new skills.

She always wanted to learn, earning three college degrees in marketing, English and accounting. She passed all parts of the CPA exam in the first try. She taught herself Spanish through watching telenovelas and reading Spanish translations of Harry Potter. She loved theater, movies, and music, organized family trips to the Stratford, Ontario, theater festival, drove her daughter to countless rehearsals and play performances.

She was the organizer, biggest fan, and lifeblood of her family. ''Vibrant'' is the word most used about her. She was passionately alive in the time of her life. Her spirit, joy, energy, humor, compassion, ferocity, wisdom, and love will live forever in those lucky enough to know and love her. She will be dearly missed but forever loved and remembered.

Obituary Provided By:
Roller-Owens Funeral Home
5509 John F. Kennedy Blvd.
North Little Rock, AR  72116
www.rollerfuneralhomes.com