EILEEN EVELYN NORTON (WEEDON)

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EILEEN EVELYN NORTON (nee WEEDON) April 24, 1923 - January 22, 2008 Let God take her and may she rest in the arms of an angel, are few words yet, speak loudly of a woman who gave - but would never accept anything for herself. A wife to Ted who passed away before her nearly 15 years ago, Eileen made a home for themselves and raised her family, two boys, Tom and Tim, in the heart of Elmwood. For nearly 50 years many a neighbour and passerby have strolled along that sidewalk in front of the house but no one, and I'll repeat that - no one, escaped her watchful eye, her trademark. As the trees grew, the leaves fell, the snow crunched under foot, the sun shone and the seasons came and went Eileen chose to remain independent, even after suffering a stroke nearly a year ago to the day. Her home was that one constant that allowed her to remain strong and to her friends in the most loving way, all too stubborn. But that's the way it was and there was no arguing with her even from her brother Ken, who like two peas in a pod were inseparable; best friends, confidants and now sadly, very sadly missed. Eileen's boys did well by her because she did what can only be described as the most difficult thing for a mom to do, she gave them wings. They went on to marry, Tim with Laurie in Atwater, CA, and Tom with Donna in Abbotsford, BC. To her delight it was payback time as she was a Grandmother five times; Tim and Laurie's twins, Connor and Callie and Tom and Donna's three, Madison, Bronson and Paige. Her grandkids were stars in her eyes. Never judgmental, always pragmatic. Eileen taught them all the value of a dollar (this one's for you Agnus) and an honest day's work as she too worked hard all her life being the big sister to brothers Ken (Deborah), Dennis (Eleanor), Bernice of Cheyenne, Wyoming, and predeceased by her parents and oldest brother Jack (Toni) and younger brother Harold (Betty). Eileen's smile captured the hearts of the people who cared for her over the past year both at a critical time in the Concordia Hospital, Riverview Rehab and at the Maples Personal Care Home when she left us. Her family wishes to give special thanks to all the staff at the Maples for their kindness and compassion as Eileen spent each day keeping a watchful eye along that sidewalk, her trademark. Friends and neighbours are invited to join family in a celebration of Eileen's life to be held Saturday, February 2, 2008, 11:00 a.m. at Bardal Funeral Home, 843 Sherbrook Street. In lieu of flowers, trust me, Eileen would have wanted you to hang onto your money. If friends so desire, memorial tributes may be made to a charity of choice or to the Manitoba Heart and Stroke Foundation but know that Eileen beat cancer. BARDAL FUNERAL HOME 843 Sherbrook Street, 774-7474 Ample Parking Behind Funeral Home Condolences: www.bardal.ca

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Jan 26, 2008