EILEEN VALENTINE DUNCAN

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EILEEN VALENTINE DUNCAN Eileen Valentine Duncan died peacefully on Tuesday, January 29, 2008, at the Victoria General Hospital at the age of 92. She will be lovingly remembered by her children Joan Dalgliesh (Jim), Jim (Sydney) and Donald (Patti) Duncan, daughter-in-law Pat Duncan; grandchildren David (Debbie) Dalgliesh, Robert (Daniel) Dalgliesh, Blair (Larissa) Dalgliesh, Susan (Doug) Delaney, Melanie (John) Helfrich, David (Kate) Duncan, Drew (Kerri) Kwiatek, Colleen (William) Utech, Ian, Pamela and Patrick Duncan; great-grandchildren Jonathan Friedman Dalgliesh, Chad and Nicholas Delaney, Johnathan and Alyssa Helfrich, Anna, Emma- Lee, Kole and Owen Kwiatek, Aidan and Harley Utech and numerous nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her husband James Couper Duncan, her parents Robert James and Margaret Rose Vollet, brothers Frank and Robert Vollet, sisters Kathleen O'Brien, Evelyn Thomas, Margaret Yearwood, her daughter Susan Eileen Duncan, son David Franklin Duncan, grandson James Andrew Duncan, and great-grandson Jordan Helfrich. Eileen was born February 14, 1915, in Portage la Prairie, Manitoba. She moved to Winnipeg as a young child and attended Maple Leaf School, Hugh John Macdonald School and Daniel McIntyre Collegiate Institute. Following graduation, she worked as a secretary at J.H. Ashdown. She met her future husband, James C. Duncan, at Hugh John Macdonald and they were married June 29, 1940. Together they had five children. After her husband's sudden death in 1966, she took over as president of the James Duncan Singers, Ltd., producing the shows at the Hollow Mug Theatre Restaurant. At the same time, she worked as the Executive Secretary to the General Manager of the International Inn, finally retiring in 1985 at the age of 70. Eileen was a longtime member of the P.E.O. Sisterhood (a philanthropic, educational organization that supports women striving to further their post-secondary education). She served as its Provincial President in 1967 and was a member of Chapter H and a founding member of Chapter Q. She was also a Past-President of the Inner Wheel Club of Winnipeg and a life long member of the United Church of Canada, worshipping at Trinity United Church since its founding. Since retiring, she lived in the Richmond Gardens and was part of a wonderfully supportive senior citizens' community. There, she developed many close friendships. The family would like to thank the staff at the Victoria Hospital as well as her personal physician, Dr. Phyllis Bedder for providing such excellent, compassionate care. Cremation has taken place. Interment will take place at a later date. A service celebrating Eileen's life will be held on Saturday, February 9, 2008, at 11:00 a.m. at Trinity United Church, 933 Summerside Ave., with the Reverend Milly Malavsky officiating. A reception will follow in the church hall (wheelchair accessible). If friends so desire, in lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to The Manitoba P.E.O. Foundation, P.O. Box 42114, Winnipeg, Manitoba R3J 3X7, or the Kidney Foundation of Canada, Manitoba Branch, 730 Taylor Avenue, Winnipeg, Manitoba R3M 2K8. THOMSON IN THE PARK FUNERAL HOME AND CEMETERY www.thomsoninthepark.com 925-1120 Life stories may be shared with friends and family across the globe at www.mem.com

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Feb 05, 2008