Eileen Vinita (Boston) Hennigh

Eileen Vinita (Boston) Hennigh, of Darrouzett, Texas passed away suddenly on Wednesday, April 14, 2021 at her daughter’s home in Nogal, New Mexico at the age of 90 years, 2 months, and 17 days.

A ‘remembrance and celebration of the life’ service will be held at 10:00am, Monday, April 19, 2021 at the First United Methodist Church in Darrouzett with Reverend John Nichols officiating.  Graveside services will follow immediately at the Darrouzett Cemetery.  A dinner and reunion for all the family will be held at the Darrouzett Senior Citizens Center immediately after the services.  Friends and family will find the familiar open door at the Hennigh home at 205 Locust Street in Darrouzett.

Eileen Vinita Boston was born January 28, 1931, in Dewey County, OK to Walter Benton and Mary Emma Arrilla (Turner) Boston.  The family moved to Beaver County, OK just north of Darrouzett where she attended the Victory School through the 8^th grade before enrolling in Darrouzett High School.  Eileen graduated Darrouzett High School in May 1949.  On June 1^st, 1949 she married Wendell Earl Hennigh also of Darrouzett.

Eileen was an industrious soul from early in her life. She often told of walking daily a mile from the family farm to help the neighbors milk their cows and laughed that the $1/day might have been the best money she ever made.  After she and Wendell wed, she milked cows for a local farmer, worked as a waitress in her in-law’s cafe and worked in their laundry in Darrouzett.  No matter where they lived, there was always a garden with vegetables galore, grape vines, fruit trees, and even honeybees once; all resulting in summers and falls of canning and freezing the bounty.  At one point in the 60’s the family occupied and Eileen operated the Darrouzett Hotel after mother-in-law Gracie was unable to continue.  Eileen was an extraordinary cook and her children proudly offered her culinary treats at a never ending string of bake sales for school/scouts or whatever.

Eileen is survived, son Wes (Darlene) of Lubbock; daughter Rita Presley of Mooreland; daughter Rebecca (Richard) Sharpe of Nogal, NM; son Scotty (Mary) of Amarillo; son Roy (Irma) of Shattuck.  Also surviving are nine grandchildren, ten great grandchildren, a plethora of nieces and nephews, and the host of others that called her Grandma and were treated as so you wouldn’t know the difference.  Whether she was Aunt-Eeen or Grandma, the door was always open, and food was in the refrigerator if not on the table.

Eileen is also survived by four cherished sisters-in-law & two brothers-in-law: Lucille Hennigh of Albuquerque, NM; Fern Howard of Darrouzett; Melba & Charles Orshek of Lake Whitney; Edna Mae Hennigh of Flower Mound; and Lonnie Kjerstad of Quinn, SD.

Eileen was preceded in death by Wendell, her husband of over 65 years; her parents Walt & Mary Boston; four brothers Charles, Alvin, Jimmy, & Roger; her dearest sister Rose Ellen; and son-in-law Larry Presley.