By MOHAMED FARGHALY; JEAN BRANNUM | mfarghaly@queensledger.com
After three decades of transformative leadership, Eileen Reilly, who has been a
guiding light at the Maspeth Town Hall Community Center, is stepping down. Her
tenure has seen the Center flourish into a vital community hub, renowned for its
innovative programming in education, recreation, the arts, and health awareness, all
under her visionary stewardship.
A lifelong Queens resident who grew up in Woodside as one of 13 children, Reilly
has played an instrumental role in transforming Maspeth Town Hall into a
cornerstone of the community. Under her leadership, the Center has flourished,
offering innovative programming in education, recreation, the arts, and health
awareness.
Reilly’s sense of community, shaped by her upbringing, has guided her exceptional
work at Maspeth Town Hall. Since joining the organization, she has overseen the
expansion of its budget from $150,000 to over $4.5 million, facilitated a $3 million
renovation of the building, and increased staffing to 285 employees, 75 percent of
whom are college students. The Center now serves 500 clients weekly.
Her initiatives include the development of a toddler program that assists 125
children and parents each week and successful collaborations with local public
schools, private foundations, and the New York City Department of Education to
provide Pre-K and after-school programs.
“Im always proud every morning when I wake up to represent this county, 360
languages and dialects are spoken across Queens County,” Reilly said. “We
understand that our diversity is our strength, and this institution has always been
an institution open to everyone in the community.”
Reilly’s efforts have also extended to forming valuable partnerships with local
entities such as the Maspeth Federal Savings Bank, the Chamber of Commerce, and
the Maspeth Kiwanis Club. Her community service beyond Maspeth Town Hall
includes two decades as the coordinator of the St. Adalbert’s Ladies Guild, where she
has helped raise over $200,000 for the school.
Reflecting on her retirement, Reilly expressed mixed emotions.
“I was very fortunate to have a job that never felt like a job. I was happy to come to
work every day and I’ve met so many people over the 30 years who made me a
better person, a better director,” she said.
Reilly’s departure was marked by accolades from colleagues and community
leaders. Queens Borough President Donovan Richards commended her dedication
during the celebration.
Her successor, Mary Casey, has been trained by Reilly and is set to continue her
legacy at Maspeth Town Hall.
Reilly’s retirement plans include spending more time with her family. Married to her
husband, Robert, since May 1970, Reilly met him while volunteering at a hospital
where he was recovering from Vietnam War injuries. They have three children,
Michael, Amanda, and Thomas, and are proud grandparents of Darrah Kate and
Sydney Grace Reilly.
As Reilly steps down, the community she has served so diligently celebrates her
legacy and the lasting improvements she brought to Maspeth Town Hall. Her
commitment to the greater good has set a high standard for community service,
ensuring that the Center will continue to thrive under new leadership.
