Eileen Leslie Anderson Stancukas

Eileen Leslie Anderson Stancukas, DCSW, LCSW, BCD

December 1, 1944 -June 16, 2025

Eileen Leslie Anderson Stancukas passed away peacefully surrounded by the love of her family after a courageous journey through illness. She was 80.

Born on December 1, 1944, in Dyersburg, Tennessee, to Oscar (Thorsten) and Mary Rita Anderson, Eileen grew up in Chicago alongside three siblings - William, Robert (deceased), and Jean Anderson. She was a product of a strong Catholic education, attending Resurrection Parish School and Siena High School. She initially attended Mundelein College in Chicago, but due to financial reasons left at the age of 18, to become a second-grade teacher at Resurrection Parish school. She had 50 students in her class.

On February 12, 1966, Eileen married Stanley Joseph Stancukas. Together they built a marriage that spanned nearly six decades-rich with love, faith, and adventure. They started their journey in Frankfurt, Germany, where Stan was assigned to the U.S. Department of State. While there, they traveled together for extended periods to Italy, Spain, Iceland and Morocco. They returned to Naperville, Illinois after five years in Europe. With two kids in tow, Eileen obtained a bachelor's degree in education from Benedictine University, Lisle, Illinois. In 1976 they moved to Fort Worth. There she attended the University of Texas at Arlington and earned a master's degree in social work.

Eileen's professional work in adoption changed countless lives. As a licensed social worker, she formed Adoption Services, Inc., an agency that helped families to adopt special-needs and foreign­ born children. Many of these families remained close to Eileen throughout her life, inviting her to their children's weddings and grandchildren's baptisms. At 79 years of age her pursuit of knowledge and passion for helping others led her to obtain a Certificate of Advanced Psychodynamic Psychotherapy from the Institute of Advanced Psychotherapy at Loyola University of Chicago. Eileen's diagnosis of esophageal cancer disrupted her plan to specialize in counseling adopted adults with traumatic experiences.

Eileen was associated with Catholic Charities of Fort Worth for over 40 years. As a college student she interned at Catholic Charities working in the Diocese of Fort Worth adoption program. Later she was director of the program, acted as interim director of one of the agency's child refugee programs and then volunteered in the agency's Gabriel Project program. The Gabriel Project provides practical help to women who might otherwise not choose life for their child.

Eileen was the mother of five children: Elisabeth Anne Wagner (Dan), Sara Catherine Hull, Susanne Emily Stancukas (deceased), Steven Anderson Stancukas (Kate), and Mary Caroline Stancukas Hussung (Nick). Motherhood was her calling, and she lived it with grace and selflessness. She is also "Mormor" (Swedish for grandmother) to six grandchildren: Grace, Lauren, Emily, Sean, Ellie, and Luke. She nurtured each grandchild in a special way.

Eileen cherished her role as a sister, sister-in-law and aunt. As the eldest sibling, she was a loving sister to William, Robert, and Jean. She had a special bond with her sister-in-law Linda Anderson and her nieces, Amy Anderson and Erin Tugman.

Stan and Eileen were integral members of the Marriage Encounter Image group for close to 40 years, forging deep and loving friendships with other couples in the group. Eileen was a member of the Girls at Prayer Bible Study, TCU Catholic Book Club, and the Grandmother's Club. She loved books, travel, and meeting new people. She never met a stranger conversationally. Eileen also was a eucharistic minister and taught baptism classes at St. Andrew’s Catholic Church.

She is preceded in death by her parents, Oscar Thorsten and Mary Rita Anderson; her daughter, Susanne Emily Stancukas; and her brother, Robert Anderson. She is survived by her husband Stanley; children Elisabeth (Dan), Sara, Steven (Kate), and Mary Caroline (Nick); grandchildren Grace, Lauren, Emily, Sean, Ellie, and Luke; brother William Anderson (Linda), sister Jean Anderson; and many cousins, nieces, and dear friends.

Eileen leaves behind a legacy of love, unwavering faith, and compassionate service. Her spirit will continue to shine on those she loved and those whose lives she touched.

Well done, good and faithful servant.

May the angels lead you into Paradise; may the martyrs come to welcome you and take you to the holy city, the new and eternal Jerusalem.

A celebration of Eileen’s life will be held at St. Andrew Catholic Church

Thursday, July 10, 2025

Welcome: 9:30 – 10:30 a.m.

Funeral Mass: 10:30 a.m.

Interment for family members will follow at Greenwood Memorial Park.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Eileen’s memory may be made to Catholic Charities Fort Worth, an organization close to her heart and reflective of her lifelong commitment to service. https://catholiccharitiesfortworth.org/donate/