Obituary

Eileen Sacco did not want us to be sad about her passing, but to celebrate the life that she lived on her own terms. While we can’t ignore the pain and sadness, we are blessed that she left an indelible mark in the hearts of all who knew her.

78, passed away peacefully on March 1st 2025.Born in Des Moines, IA in 1946 to Gary and Ruby Sacco, she graduated from St. Joseph’s Academy in 1964. In 1970, after attending Iowa State University, Eileen moved to Denver, CO the city that captured her heart and never let go. In 2006 she returned to Des Moines to help take care of her ailing Father.

While living in Denver, Eileen started her career as a legal secretary, successfully working her way up to President and Managing Editor of Quantum Press. She was the publisher and editor of ten books for the Esperti Peterson Institute Contributory book series. While working full time, she earned a BS in business from Regis University, where she was Valedictorian. In 2006, Eileen switched careers to own and operate a Maid-Rite restaurant on the south side of Des Moines.

Eileen worked extremely hard but also knew how to enjoy life to the fullest. She travelled to Italy, meeting her great aunts and uncles, and cousins for the first time. When one of her favorite 1960’s songs came on, you could catch her singing and dancing along. She loved family game nights and trying out new recipes from America’s Test Kitchen or Jamie Oliver, much to the delight of her family who got to be official taste testers. Eileen was involved in politics and activism, and was very proud for getting three new voters to register for the last presidential election. You could also catch her rooting for the Denver Broncos, reading, watching legal dramas, and enjoying a nice glass of merlot.

Anyone who knew Eileen, knows how much she loved getting together with family and friends and talking for hours over a great meal. Like her Father, she had endless, captivating stories from her life and loved hearing stories in return. Christmas was an especially favorite time of the year where she planned extensively for cooking and baking Italian family favorites, passed down from her Mother. She got a thrill teaching younger family members how to keep those recipes alive.

Eileen is survived by her sister, Susan Sacco of Des Moines, nephew Paul Grinstead of Des Moines, niece Theresa Grinstead of Ankeny and countless cousins, extended family, and her many friends. She is preceded in death by her parents, Gary Sacco, and Ruby (Hackett) Sacco.

Memorial will be held Saturday, March 8, 2025, from 4 to 6 pm, at Iles Grandview Chapel in Des Moines IA. A Celebration of Life will be held at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to The Assistance Fund, specify the Pulmonary Hypertension Copay Assistance Program (https://tafcares.org/) or DMARC (https://dmarcunited.org/)