OBITUARIES
Eileen Margaret Dean (nee Smith)
1945 – 2019
It is with deep sadness, yet with great trust in the love of God, that we announce the passing of our beloved wife, mother and grandmother, who peacefully went to be with her Saviour on Thursday, October 24, at home and with family by her side.
Eileen will be deeply missed by her beloved husband of 53 years, John; her four children and their spouses, Fiona Peters (Ken), Timothy Dean (Erin), Sarah Pantel (Christian), and Nicholas Dean (Arlene); and her 13 much-loved grandchildren, Rebecca (Ryan), Amy (Luke), Nicholas, Emma, Sophie, Lauren, Samuel, Eithne, Isaac, Tobie, Carrick, Tessa, and Emmett. Eileen is lovingly remembered in England by her sister, June Bray, her brother, John Smith (Lizzie), her brother-in-law, Tony Dean (Patricia) and their families.
Eileen was born in Washington, D.C., but grew up in Maidenhead, England. Eileen and John attended the same Brethren church from childhood, were teenage sweethearts, and were married in 1966. Eileen was a loving, devoted and supportive wife to John as they walked through life together.
Eileen always had a great love for children. She completed her teacher training in England and taught for a few years before she and John emigrated to Canada in 1968. Eileen saw mothering as a very high calling in her life and invested countless hours lovingly and diligently caring for her children, reading books, playing games, singing and teaching. Once the children were older, Eileen worked in daycares, served as a school lunch supervisor, and did some substitute teaching. Eileen and John returned to England with their children as frequently as possible to visit their parents, Cecil and Iris Smith and Charles and Laura Dean, siblings and friends. In latter years John and Eileen enjoyed visiting Yorkshire to spend time together on long walks in the countryside and having pub lunches, with Eileen ever on the lookout for newborn lambs which she found delightful.
Eileen was an amazing mother and grandmother who continually showered love and attention on her family, attending sports games, recitals and school functions, and ensuring that no birthday passed without arriving in person to offer a gift and a warm embrace. She was known for her great enjoyment of life and contagious laughter. She was a steadfast friend, always looking for ways to encourage, comfort and bless others. She lived life well.
Eileen’s overriding desire was to follow the leading of her Saviour Jesus Christ. She read the Bible daily and passed on her faith to her children and to her grandchildren. She prayed constantly, certain of Christ’s interest and love for all, and when facing trials, she remained secure in the knowledge that though she could not see the way, God remained in control of these things “too wonderful for me.”
At Eileen’s passing, her grandchildren, aged 5 through 26, offered their tributes through their tears and their words: “You have taught me so much”; “You have always been there for me”; “She lead as such a gracious example, living out her faith to the very end, confident in God’s love and fully at peace”; “My role model, my friend”; “You brought colour and fun to everything”; “You gave wise advice and were always willing to listen”; “You taught me there is so much more to live for than just yourself”; and unanimously, “I will miss you so much.”
Eileen lived a life poured out in selfless love and devotion to her Saviour and Lord, Jesus Christ, and to her family and friends. She was a woman of integrity, courage and overflowing joy. Eileen exemplified love.
“For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Romans 8: 38-39
The family would like to thank Dr. Joel Gingerich and nurse Cheryl Greaves for their compassionate care during Eileen’s illness, the staff of CancerCare Manitoba for their kindness during treatments, and the excellent nursing staff of the Regional Palliative Care Program.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to charities chosen by Eileen through the Eileen Dean Memorial Fund. Online donations can be made to this fund at abundance.ca by clicking Start Giving. Cheques can be made out to Abundance Canada, designated for the Eileen Dean Memorial Fund. If mailed, please address to Abundance Canada 12 – 1325 Markham Road, Winnipeg, MB R3T 4J6 Canada.
Funeral Service 11:00 a.m. Friday, November 1, 2019 at St. Aidan’s Anglican Church, 274 Campbell Street.
Our most sincere sympathies to the family and friends of Eileen Margaret Dean nee Smith 1945 2019..
Bardal Funeral Home and Crematorium
Death notice for the town of: Winnipeg, Province: Manitoba