Eileen’s Obituary
GILHEN, Eileen Joyce – 93 of Greenwood, Nova Scotia passed away peacefully Tuesday January 19, 2021 in the Palliative Care Unit, Soldiers’ Memorial Hospital, Middleton, NS. Born October 6, 1927 in Halifax she was the daughter of the late Sgt Frederick and Alice (Panton) Coppell. She grew up in Armdale and North End Halifax. Eileen wed Cyril Gilhen October 16, 1948 at Saint Marks Church, Halifax. Being a daughter of a career soldier must have prepared Mom in her role of marrying a career sailor as it was Mom who ensured both belongings and children made it safely to the next post. We lived at CFB Shearwater, CFB Esquimalt, CFB Downsview, CFB Rockcliffe before settling in Greenwood, NS when Dad retired in 1974. Mom was beautiful. She loved to laugh, sing and dance. She was always on the go and loved tending to her garden & flowers. She was a very nurturing soul yet did not suffer fools nor weeds lightly – both were dealt with in an expedient fashion. She is survived by her children, Christine (David), Collingwood, ON; Rosemary, Greenwood, NS; Blair (Judy), Dartmouth, NS; and David (Anne) Spryfield, NS; her younger sister, Doreen, Ottawa, ON. She will be missed by her grandchildren, Shelley, Courtney, Bill, Stephen, Josh and Jamie; great grandchildren and many nieces and nephews; and also dear friends, Anne Versailles and Catherine Fraser. In addition to her parents, she was predeceased by her husband, Lieutenant Commander Cyril Gilhen CD RCN & brothers, Jimmy, Fred and Melville; as well as several brothers and sisters-in-law. She also mourned the loss of special friend, Sue Fitzgerald. We would like to thank the caregivers Annapolis Valley Home Care, VON and Soldiers’ Memorial Hospital, Middleton for their dedication and care of Mom in her final days. We would be remiss if we didn’t mention the wonderful care provided to Mom and Dad for almost 40 years by Dr. Yafai and after his retirement, Dr. Kevin McGuire. Rosemary and Blair deserve special credit for their dual efforts in caring for Mom during the difficult last year and a half. Despite utilizing different management techniques, they made a great team and did a fantastic job looking after her. As per Mom’s wishes there will be no memorial service. She was the last of her peer group locally. In the Spring, we will have a get together to laugh and cry to remember our beautiful Mom. Arrangements have been entrusted to Middleton Funeral Home, 398 Main St. toll free 1-855-825-3448. Online guestbook may be signed by visiting: www.middletonfuneralhome.com
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Our most sincere sympathies to the family and friends of Eileen Joyce Gilhen October 06 1927 January 19 2021..
Death notice for the town of: Middleton, Province: Nova Scotia