Eileen Payne, 92, passed away on Sunday, March 15, 2026, at her daughter’s home in Green Brook, New Jersey.

Born on August 11, 1933, to the late Bertha and John Simsek, Eileen was raised in Secaucus, New Jersey. She remained there for most of her life. About 20 years ago, she moved to Brick, New Jersey, where she continued to enjoy the home and independence she valued so much.

Eileen was known for her strong work ethic and remained employed into her 80s. Even toward the end of her career, she commuted by bus each day from Brick to Manhattan. Over the years, she held several notable positions, including the Bank of Montreal, as an administrator for the law firm Shea & Gould, and later as a facilities manager for Simon & Schuster, where she worked for many years before retiring.

She was a longtime active member of the First Reformed Church of Secaucus. Eileen also took enormous pride in her home and was known for keeping it spotless. She was meticulous in every way, cleaning rooms whether they had been used or not and taking care of even the smallest details. She enjoyed collecting a variety of items, from plates to figurines and anything else that caught her eye.

Most of all, Eileen enjoyed being with her family, especially during the holidays. She was a steady presence at family gatherings and celebrations and could always be counted on to be there.

She is survived by her children, Robin Szczubelek , David Payne and his wife Swee May, John Payne, and Cindy Hopp and her husband John; her grandchildren, Tracey, Stephen and his wife Katherine, Jeffrey, Robert and his wife Danielle, David, and Danielle and her husband Michael; and her great-grandchildren, Robert, Anthony, Charlotte, Sam, and Ellie.

She was predeceased by her siblings, John Simsek, Robert Simsek, and Carol Conklin, as well as her son-in-law, Stephen Szczubelek.

Visitation will be held on Thursday, March 19, 2026, from 4:00 PM to 8:00 PM at Higgins Home For Funerals, 752 Mountain Blvd., Watchung, NJ 07069.

A funeral service will be held on Friday, March 20, 2026, at 10:30 AM at Higgins Home For Funerals, 752 Mountain Blvd., Watchung, NJ 07069.

Interment will follow at George Washington Memorial Park Cemetery in Paramus, New Jersey.