Ritchie,
Eileen Joyce
(Meynell)
February 17, 1945 ~
March 22, 2005
It is with sadness and sorrow that we say goodbye to our beautiful wife, mother, nana and friend. Eileen passed away at St. Paul’s Hospital, Vancouver after a lengthy and courageous battle with cancer. She was born in Duncan, BC to Una and the late Alan Meynell. She is survived by her husband, Bill; her daughter, Andrea (Sean Smith) Ritchie; her son, Graham (Vanessa Milligan) and her beloved grandson, Ian Ritchie-Smith. She also leaves behind her mother, Una Meynell and her sisters Judy Gurney (Peter Peto) and Marg (David) Kerridge, as well as many nieces and nephews.
Eileen was raised in Duncan and was proud to be the fourth generation of her family born on Vancouver Island. She graduated from Cowichan Secondary School and the Royal Jubilee Hospital School of Nursing. She married Bill in 1968 and moved to Campbell River where she has raised her family and worked as a registered nurse at the Quinsam Medical Clinic and Yuculta Lodge. All who knew her were touched by her gentle spirit and genuine friendship. She saw the best in everyone and was happiest when gathered with family and friends sharing stories and laughter. Eileen was a volunteer with the Canadian Cancer Society and in recent years has supported the Campbell River Community Foundation.
Eileen lit up our lives and will live on in our hearts and our actions forever. A Celebration of her Life will be held on April 4 at 3:00p.m. at the Maritime Heritage Centre. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Campbell River Community Foundation, Box 734, Campbell River, BC., V9W 6J3.