Eileen “Laney” Claire Haines (Hullings), age 79, of Appleton, Wisconsin, passed away peacefully on May 14, 2026.

Eileen was born in Mount Holly, New Jersey and graduated from Mount Holly High School. She got married to her only love, Don, and soon after had her daughter and son. While her children were young, she worked as a Teacher’s Assistant at the school they attended. Decades later she still recalled the joy that story time brought to both her and the class. She went on to work for the State of New Jersey for over 15 years as an Administrative Assistant for the New Lisbon Developmental Center for adults with disabilities. Often referred to as the “Four Mile Colony”, this center provided a place with community, safety, and normalcy for the residents. Late in life, she remained amazed that she was able to take notes with shorthand for all those years. She did all of this while also serving as the Secretary for the Pemberton Borough Board.

In retirement, her desire to serve was still present. She volunteered three times a week at the St. Elizabeth hospital in Appleton for over 15 years.

She had a deep and personal relationship with God. She practiced daily prayer and let the teachings of Jesus be her moral code.

Eileen had the ability to make people feel as though she was an old friend, even immediately upon meeting. She was genuinely kind, only seeing the good in people. Or maybe her presence just brought out others’ good. She gathered friends wherever she went. In retirement, while volunteering at the hospital, she regularly made friends with the other volunteer’s decades younger than her. Always bringing stories of her “little friends” home.

Eileen was known for her superhuman patience and attentive nature. She naturally provided for those around her in big and small ways and had the ability to truly make people feel heard and loved when they spoke. It was so easy to rely on her for kind, supportive words that brought comfort.

Her entire life, she had a caretaker’s heart. She stayed by her dad's side through his illness, before she was even a teenager. When her oldest sister received a fatal diagnosis, Eileen moved her into her own home and cared for her during the last 18 months of her life. She cared for her husband at home in his final months battling with cancer.

She was known for her easy and independent demeanor, a quality that drew people in. Seemingly never letting the stresses of daily life get to her. Her family could always depend on a gently said “it is what it is” when presented with hardship.

She had unbridled joy and zest for life. To close your eyes and think of her, the mind likely only brings up images of big smiles and uproarious laughter. She found joy weeding in her garden, remarking at how beautiful and expansive the sky was that day, planning and preparing her annual Christmas party for the “condo ladies”, and crafting with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Eileen is survived by her children Renee Reissmann (Todd) and Michael Haines (Kerri); grandchildren Aly, Cassi (Kelly), Kaitlin, Tai, Emmett, Kyleigh, and Kortnie; her great-grandchildren Jaxson, Sunny, Xander, Ezekiel, Cameron; and the beloved family dog, Klowe.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Lester and Elizabeth Hullings; her husband, Don Haines; her siblings Jeannie Hullings Mathews, Shirley Hullings, Elwood Hullings, and Beverly Hullings Mathews; and her loving basset hound, Barney.

The daughter of parents who died too young. The significantly younger sister who outlived her loving siblings. The devoted wife of a husband who was taken before his time.

When Eileen was born, the world became a more loving, caring place. In her absence, her family hopes to continue her legacy leading with those tenets. She is at peace and finally reunited with her husband, parents, siblings, and countless other loved ones.

Eileen did not wish to have a service. A memorial page can be found here to read and contribute to In lieu of flowers, we are asking for donations to be directed to Alzheimer's Association at www.alz.org/get-involved-now/donate, a research nonprofit working to find advances in Alzheimer's and other memory related diseases.

The family asks that those wishing to feel connected with Eileen honor her in ways that feel personal to you. Make banana bread with extra chocolate chips. Feel the sun on your face while you read a good book. Volunteer your time to a cause that helps others.

To know her was to love her. A Jersey beach girl. A pastor’s wife. A lifelong public servant. A loving Mom, Grammie, Mimi, Laney, and friend whose spirit will live on through the lives of those she loved.