SMYTH, Eileen Frances
September 1, 1940 - October 5, 2016
Eileen Frances Smyth was born on September 1, 1940 to Ester and William Sullivan. Together with her one brother and four sisters, Eileen grew up in North Calgary where she attended several Catholic Schools, graduating from St. Mary’s Girls School, and later enrolling in Nursing Training at Holy Cross Hospital. During her training, Eileen worked at the Calgary Children’s Hospital, the Ponoka Mental Health Facility as well as a number of surgical stations. Upon completion, Eileen or ‘Sully’ as she was known, worked in Peace River, Montreal, and Hanna, and it was there where she met her husband, Bob. They were married on February 12, 1966 in Hanna and together they farmed north of Craigmyle. To their union, they were blessed with three boys; Robert William, Patrick Ross and Benjamin Russel. Between helping with the chores and cleaning up after these three trouble makers, Eileen found time to enjoy reading, gardening, travelling with friends and family, as well as creating many quilting masterpieces for ALL of her loved ones to cherish. It was through her love of quilting that she met many kindred, fabric-loving spirits with whom she spent time at local retreats and cross border shopping trips. Eileen loved to laugh, to tell stories, and to relay local history while playing cards, crafting or visiting her friends and neighbours. She dedicated many years as an Alberta Health Services Board Member, specifically with the Drumheller Hospital Board and Eileen could always be counted on to care for her grandchildren, whom she loved dearly. Eileen passed quietly with her family by her side on Wednesday, October 5, 2016 of cancer, having received amazing care in the Palliative Care unit of the Hanna Hospital. Eileen leaves to mourn her passing, her Husband of 50 years; Robert (Bob) Smyth, their Sons; Rob, Patrick (Kimberley) and Ben (Tanya), her nine Grandchildren; Evan, Ashley, Austin, Jordan, Ally, Cooper, Derek, Noah, and Avery, her Sister Sheila (Bill Clapham), Brothers in Law, David Smyth (Rita), Ron Gobiel, Terry Ward, Kent Burren, Sisters in Law Sandra Smyth, Nora (Clark Watts), and a host of adored Nieces and Nephews. She also leaves some of the very kindest and truest of friends, who were constant in their care of Eileen over the last few months. A Memorial Service was held on Tuesday, October 11, 2016 at the Hanna Community Centre, at 11:00 A.M., with interment at Craigmyle Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to the Palliative Care Unit of the Hanna Hospital, Box 730, Hanna, AB, T0J 1P0, or a charity of your choice. Heartland Funeral Services Ltd, Hanna, entrusted with arrangements. A Division of Central Alberta Family Funeral Services, 403-854-2758, www.heartlandfuneralservices.com.
