Eileen Shewchuk

EILEEN MAY SHEWCHUK (Nee Vandal)  

1950-2019

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of our beloved wife, mother and grandmother who passed away at Kin Place Personal Care Home in Oakbank on Friday, September 27, 2019 at the age of 69. She endured a very long battle with a rare neurodegenerative brain disease, Progressive Supranuclear Palsy (PSP). Eileen will forever be remembered by her husband of 50 years Mel and by her two children Kristyn (Patrick) and Mark (Kristie) as well as her 3 precious grandchildren Evynn, Mayra and Blake who she absolutely adored. Eileen is survived by her sister Shirley (Lorne), brother Rob (Josephine) and numerous nieces, nephews and very special cousins. She was predeceased by her father Jules and mother Mary.

Eileen grew up in Middlechurch, where she was fortunate to share many special childhood memories surrounded by numerous cousins and relatives. Eileen held these memories dear to her heart which included playing by the creek, tobogganing, riding bikes, camping trips and even jumping off the old shed trying to fly. Eileen and Mel married in 1969 eventually settling in Lockport where they built their family home along the river. They raised their two children, Kristyn and Mark in the most fairy-tale- like environment a kid could ever ask for.

Eileen was known for her “green-thumb”, always producing gorgeous flower gardens. She was creative and crafty, an avid curler, infamous for her cheesecakes and cake decorating, and was known for her love for wine and chocolate. She was a planner and organizer and loved to host a good party, often being the life of the party herself.   More importantly, family was priority in Eileen’s life and she cherished any opportunity to host a family gathering.   Eileen was a special person to many people and her kindness and generosity left a lasting impact on everyone she met. Not only was she strikingly beautiful, she was even more beautiful on the inside, always putting others first.  

Eileen fought her battle with PSP with dignity and grace. She had amazing will, strength and determination, never once complaining or asking “why me?” She was surrounded by the love and comfort of her family members during her final days who shared numerous memories and loving stories about this beautiful lady. The room could not have been filled with more love.

Special thanks to the exceptional staff at Kin Place Personal Home, especially the very special health care aids and nurses that became her friend and treated her like family.

A “Celebration of Life” for Eileen will be held at Gilbart Funeral Home in Selkirk on Wednesday, October 2, 2019 at 3:00 p.m.

In honor of Eileen’s selfless and giving nature, we ask that in lieu of flowers; please take a moment to “pay it forward” with a kind act or deed today.

Condolences may be left on her tribute wall at www.gilbartfuneralhome.com

Gilbart Funeral Home, Selkirk in care of arrangements.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Eileen Shewchuk, please visit our floral store.