Eileen (Sweeney) Jenks of Candler, N.C., died Friday July 19 after a long battle with cancer. She was 66.

She was born July 25, 1946, the daughter of the late Thomas and Elizabeth Sweeney.

Eileen grew up in Medford and graduated from Newton-Wellesley Hospital in 1967. She worked and traveled as a registered nurse for over 35 years in New Hampshire, Martha’s Vineyard, California, Arizona, Florida and North Carolina. Her specialties were varied, but focused mainly in recovery room and ER nursing.

Eileen enjoyed painting and working out in the garden. She loved watching the birds feed from her bird feeders and tending to all her beautiful flowers in her yard. She also was a big baseball fan and loved catching a Boston Red Sox game whenever she had a chance.

Eileen was preceded in death by her father, Thomas Sweeney; mother, Elizabeth Sweeney; and brother, William Sweeney.

Eileen is survived by her first husband, Peter Farnum of Arlington; two daughters, Heather Hefner and husband Brent of Arden, N.C.; Susan Whitlock and husband Kevin of Candler, N.C.; four brothers, Thomas Sweeney and wife Pat of Stoneham, Robert Sweeney and wife Gail of Stoneham/Hampton Beach, N.H., Richard Sweeney and wife Cathy of North Scituate, John Sweeney and Richard Merrill of Malden; three grandchildren, Jacob Whitlock, Lauren Hefner and Noah Hefner; and many loving nieces and nephews.

A private service will be held at her family home in Candler, N.C.. The family would like to express their immense gratitude to everyone at Asheville Hematology and Oncology, Care Partners and Tufts Medical Center for all the wonderful care that Eileen received.