EILLEEN ETHEL CASSIDY (MULLEN)

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EILLEEN ETHEL CASSIDY (nee MULLEN) November 3, 1938 January 23, 2007 Peacefully, with family and friends by her side, Eilleen passed away at the age of 68 years, at her home in Winnipeg Beach, on Tuesday, January 23, 2007. Leaving to cherish her memory are children, Jeff and Fay (Brent), and grandchildren, Shawn and Laura, Bryna, Heida, and Lindis. Eilleen was also survived by sisters, Lil Cassidy, Shirley (Ken) Billson, Violet Truthwaite, Hazel (Ian) McCowan, Myrtle Liske, and brother Charles (Donna) Mullen. She was predeceased by her husband Wilfred. Eilleen was born and raised in the Makinak / Ochre River area. She had many memories of growing up on the farm with her 11 brothers and sisters. She was a hard worker and often spoke of her abilities and fortitude as she worked alongside her brothers doing the outside' chores. She married Wilfred on June 2, 1955. After 10 years of marriage, their first son came along, Jeffrey, and two years later, they got their daughter, Fay, to complete their family. They made their home in many communities, but the home with the fondest memories for the family was the big farmhouse in Brandon, where Jeff and Fay spent most of their younger childhood years. In 1999, Eilleen moved to Winnipeg Beach to be the caregiver to Fay's children when she went back to work. She very much enjoyed this time with her grandchildren which will always be fondly remembered by Bryna, Heida, and Lindis. Shawn and Eilleen had fun working on their relationship one summer when Shawn came out to help paint Grandma often spoke about that time. Eilleen also cherished the time with her three year old granddaughter Laura, who came out from Toronto to visit, just weeks before Eilleen's passing. Eilleen put up a hard fight with her cancer, becoming more determined with every day that passed, right up to the end. She developed quite a sense of humour with a touch of sarcasm for her home care workers, which aided in building lasting friendships between them. Having been a home care worker herself for 20 years before her retirement, she felt it was her job to keep the ladies' in line with their duties. Jeff and Fay would like to express their sincere thanks to the home care workers, especially Leigh, Lucille, and Jane, who not only became an essential component to Eilleen's care, but also became close friends to the family. Thank you also to the Palliative Care Staff and Dr. Montoedi. A very important addition to Eilleen's life in the last few months was family friend Wendy Trudel, who showed true compassion and care for our mother that she very much appreciated and that we will never forget. Jeff, the special support and care provided by you during the last few months of Mom's life was irreplaceable to her and tremendously appreciated by myself and the workers in the home. Your commitment made by moving to Winnipeg Beach, and your willingness to do whatever it took to help her in this difficult period was the most unforgettable display of love I have ever seen for a mother. You should never underestimate the significance of that act, for Mom or for me. - Fay Viewing will be held Friday, January 26 at the Unitarian Church, Second Avenue, Gimli from 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. Funeral service will be held at 1:00 p.m., Saturday, January 27 at Grace Baptist Church, Makinak, MB. Interment at Turtle River Cemetery. As expressions of sympathy, and in lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Eilleen's memory to the Northeast District Palliative Care Program, Box 250 Gimli, MB R0C 1B0. Good night, Mom. We love you. Neil Bardal Inc. 949-2200 nbardal.mb.ca

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Jan 25, 2007