EILEEN F. VANDEKERKHOVE (JONES)

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EILEEN F. VANDEKERKHOVE (nee JONES) July 10, 1932 - November 11, 2003 This is to celebrate the life of our wife, mom, nana, sister, and friend. She has not truly left us for she lives on in our hearts, and in us, her loved ones. Eileen was predeceased by her parents, Henry and Mary Jones and sister, Alice. Those left to love her include her husband of 53 years, Hilaire; daughters, Darlene (Pat), Brenda (Mark), Judy (Kas) sons, Randy (Brenda), Tim (Karen), and Kevin (Cheryl). Her 14 treasured grandchildren, Heather (Steven), Melissa (Jonathan), Mark, Ryan, Rachelle, Andrew, Brigitte, Amy, Nicholas, Thomas, Lindsay, Anna, Ian, and Phillip. Also her three "babies" great-grandchildren, Hannah, Nathan, and Emma. Eileen is survived by her brothers, George, Albert (Gwen), Gordon (Barb) and Allan (Maria) sister Shirley (George) sisters-in-law, Esther, Mary, Irene, and Kay and many nieces and nephews. Mom fought a courageous battle with cancer for six months. She never complained and was stubborn until the end. She received love and support from all her family and her trusted doctor, Brian Sharkey. She started her career at Eatons in 1947 and worked there for three and a half years. She married the love of her life on April 22, 1950, together they raised their six children. Mom started working at Safeway in the coffee shop and moved over to run the Pembina Curling Club coffee shop where she developed life long friendships. She was an Associate Member of the Royal Canadian Legion, and was also a member of the Square/Round Dancing Association where even more friends were made. She was a parishioner and volunteer at Mary Mother of the Church. She spent many hours keeping fit and leading her acqua-size partners at their condo. Mom and Dad loved to travel with their RV. These lovebirds became "snowbirds" and made many close friends in Harlingen, Texas. Their travels also took them to England, Cuba, Hawaii, Alaska, and coast to coast across Canada and the United States. Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Friday, November 14 at 2:00 p.m. at Mary Mother of the Church, 85 Kirkbridge Dr. Private interment to be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Moms name to the Palliative Care Unit at the Riverview Health Centre, 1 Morley Ave., Winnipeg, MB R3L 9Z9. We want to express our heartfelt thanks to all the caregivers who supported our mom, as well as us, at the RHC Palliative Care Unit. MOM" You can only have one mother, Loving, kind and true No other friend in all the world Will be so true to you For all her love and kindness She asked nothing in return If all the world deserted us To our Mother we could turn For those of you who have a Mother Treasure her with care For you will never know her value Til you see she is not there To hear her voice to see her smile To sit and talk with her awhile To be together in the same old way Would be our dearest wish today. Arrangements entrusted to: GLEN LAWN FUNERAL HOME 455 Lagimodiere Blvd. 982-7550

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Nov 14, 2003