The Monks of the Western Priory wrote a song about weaving the fabric of our lives. This is some of my thoughts of how Eileen created some of the fabric of her life.

The design was created by her parents and her grandparents. I watched them provide the nurturing and the values that shaped her. However, as I observed, it didn't take long for

Eileen to add to the color and texture of the fabric of her life in amazing ways.

My first recollection of Eileen was when I asked her at four years old, what do you want to be when you grow up? Without skipping a beat, she said, “I want to be a baby nurse, babies need to be cared for”.

Another memory, was when she and her sister accepted our invitation to be flower girls at our wedding. Looking back at the pictures, I remember a composed, competent, caring, spirited, young girl being the best she could be as a flower girl and as ambassador to all our guests.

As a young teen, I watched her care for her aging grandparents, aunts and uncles in any way she could to make their life a little bit better. I was proud when she fulfilled her early wish to become a baby nurse, as she obtained a nursing degree.

Looking at the pictures of Eileen holding Caroline and then Kevin, I remembered the loving smile on her face that said I'm going to do all I can to help them be the best they can be.

I think of Eileen when I hear the lyrics of the song from the Western Priory.

“There is an energy in us which make things happen when the paths of other persons touch ours and we have to be there and let it happen. When the time of our particular sunset comes, our accomplishments won't really matter a great deal, but the clarity and care with which we have loved others will speak with vitality of the great gift of life we have been for each other.”

As you have also shared in your memories of Eileen, its apparent that when Eileen's path crossed ours, she was present. She loved each one of us and added a special vitality to each of our lives.

Thank you Eileen,

Aunt Maureen 

I, quietly, have been reading all of the memories that my cousins have shared here.  It seems that we all have in common so many of the great experiences growing up with Eileen as our big cousin.  Eileen took me to Disney movies, the ice-cream parlour (was it Eddie's Sweet Shop?), crowned me a lavender bridesmaid, and made me feel like I was special in this big world .  We had a tradition in our family - when one girl passed from her teen years to her twenties, while another was starting her teens, the former would pass on her years to this younger one entering this part of her life.  I was beside myself when Eileen gave me a little handmade book titled, "Your Years." In it were all of her hopes and wishes for me as I grew into a young woman, as well as her tidbits of advice.  I can still visualise the writing on the cover and the notes inside.   

Like everyone here has said, no matter the timeframe of her life or years spent, she always lived  and lived them boldly and with laughter, strength., and care for those around her.  

I’m so saddened to hear this. Eileen was such a great L and D nurse. Great memories at HHwith her. She will be sorely missed. Prayers and hugs.

Dawne Paulhus