Eileen Basso of Bethel, died Thursday, September 17, 2009 at Danbury Hospital following a short battle with lung cancer. She was 75 years old. Eileen was born on July 9, 1934 in Jamaica, N.Y. to Italian immigrants, John and Mary Basso. She was the third of five children. Eileen and her older brother, Al, never married and remained in their childhood home until their parents' deaths. When their parents grew older and became ill, Eileen and Al devoted their lives to taking loving care of them. Years later, when Al became ill, Eileen showed the same dedication to him. She was very much a "giver." Eileen graduated from Jamaica High School and shortly thereafter she began working as a secretary at the Manhattan law firm, Mudge, Rose, Guthrie and Alexander. In 1987, she and her brother moved to Bethel to be closer to their sister, Rita, and her family. Eileen continued to commute to New York and remained employed at Mudge, Rose, Guthrie and Alexander for more than 40 years, until her retirement at age 62. Eileen was Catholic and, although she did not attend Mass regularly, showed uncommon devotion to the Blessed Mother. She said multiple rosaries every day and kept a statue of the Blessed Mother illuminated at all times as she never wanted her to be in the dark. Eileen always felt confident that the Blessed Mother would guide her in times of trouble. Eileen had a very caring and generous spirit. Never having had children herself, she was like a second mother to her sister's children. She loved her family very deeply and was deeply loved in return. She will be truly missed. Survivors include sister, Rita Markus of Bethel; nephew, Fred Ferreira and wife, Jeannette of Kings Park, N.Y.; nephew, Robert Ferreira and wife, Mary of Wall Township, N.J.; niece, Donna Kropf and husband, Frank of Charlotte, N.C.; niece, Michele Markus and fianc�, Kyle Walsh of Bethel. She is also survived by five great-nieces and two great-nephews. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at St. Mary's Church, Bethel, Monday morning at 10. Burial will be in St. Mary's Cemetery, Bethel. The family will receive friends in the Bethel Funeral Home, 215 Greenwood Ave., Bethel, Sunday evening from 2 to 5.