Eileen Frey

"We are so truly blessed to have Miss Eileen here at Programs For Exceptional People (PEP).  All of the members look forward not only to her creative ideas and projects, but also to her wonderful smile, loving disposition and gentle ways."
-Jayme Greco, PEP Program Director

Pink: Have you been on Hilton Head Island for a while?
Eileen: Yes, I have lived in Hilton Head Plantation for over 18 years. I used to come here to visit family more than 28 years ago. When I retired, I wanted to be near my brother, sister-in-law and nephew. I have another niece and nephew who live elsewhere with their families.

Pink: What was your profession before you retired? Talk a bit about your duties and responsibilities.
Eileen: I was an engineer. That was very unusual in my day - a female engineer! I was an Engineering Supervisor in the Standards Department. I was responsible for 13 engineers, two clerks and a secretary. My department was responsible for helping product engineers select piece parts for the major equipment we were manufacturing, which was radars for the Polaris and Trident submarines. I also was responsible for reviewing government contracts, and then developing company procedures for controlling the documentation we supplied to the customer. 

Pink: I know that in your retirement, you are a very innovative crafter. Can you describe some of the things you create?
Eileen: Many of the items which I have made are for the Hilton Head Plantation Craft Workshop Group, which works from January to October of each year making items to sell at our spring and fall craft shows for the benefit of Hospice Care of the Lowcountry. In the ten years we have worked with Hospice, we have raised $161, 000 for them. Some of the items I make are shell wreaths, shell trees, a variety of Christmas ornaments and painted birdhouses. I also make gourds, mail box reindeers, placemats and much more.

Pink: What a huge variety of creative original creations! Do you teach crafts in any other location besides PEP?
Eileen: In the past I also taught scrapbooking and other crafts at "Room at the Inn" in Bluffton. It is a program that helps homeless, single, pregnant women, not only during their pregnancies but also after the birth of their babies. I also volunteer at the Carolina House here on the Island. I teach and share my crafts only as a volunteer.

Pink: What other sorts of volunteer work do you do?
Eileen: Well, I serve on the Board of Trustees at Resurrection Christian Community Church. I also serve as Accounting and Reservation Co-Chair for the Hilton Head Island Relay for Life. I help the Activities Director at Carolina House of Hilton Head Island with Bingo and other activities and I work with the Hilton Head Plantation Fourth of July Celebration Committee. I try to make each day a little different, although I do try to get in a water aerobics class three times a week.

Pink: That is an unbelievable schedule. Do you mind if I reveal your age, Eileen?
Eileen: No, not at all.  I will be 80-years-old this year. I am motivated by the fact that I have been so very blessed. This is only my way of giving back. I have taken as my words to live by the following quote: "Let love and faithfulness never leave you. Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding"

Eileen Frey does truly live by those wonderful and inspirational words. She brings joy to many lives and in so doing brings joy into her own heart as well.

Up Close:

Favorite book: The Bible. I am currently in a Bible study that is exploring Acts and Revelations.
To relax: I like to watch TV. Not regular TV. I watch Public Television.
Favorite spot on HH: Oh, that would have to be Dolphin Head. I love the view and just being there.
Favorite way to spend an evening: I like just being home and quiet.