JAMES, Eileen Dolores (nee Bradford) – born August 6, 1924; died March 20, 2010. Predeceased by her husband Charles Henry (Harry) James of Moose Jaw and Regina, Saskatchewan. Survived by her daughters, Susan (husband Dale and children Jennifer and Chris) of Calgary; Kendra (husband Elliott and sons Oliver and Keaton) of Calgary; and son Craig (wife Christine and children Evan and Taylor Ellyn) of Victoria and a small number of relatives in Western Canada.
Born and raised in Lachine, Quebec, Eileen met her Harry during the second World War when he was stationed in Sherbrooke. They married after he returned from his posting with the Royal Canadian Airforce at Southampton, England and set up home in Moose Jaw in 1946. With Susan and Craig in tow, the family moved to Regina in 1954 where Kendra joined the family in 1958. Following Harry’s death in 1985 Eileen moved to Sidney, British Columbia where she lived until her death. Eileen was a proud member of the Lioness Club of Regina for many years and led the organization in many elected capacities. A member of the St. James Anglican Church parish in Regina, Eileen immersed herself in various church groups. She was an avid clarinetist, painter and art collector. Eileen’s passion was helping the blind – she was devoted to the Canadian National Institutes for the Blind organizing and participating in events. Her parents died some years ago and her only sibling – a brother Kenneth Bradford – died from wounds he suffered on a mission in Italy during the Second World War.
We thank the many dedicated health care professionals on southern Vancouver Island who helped Mom over the years as her dementia became more pronounced in particular, those at Sluggett House, the Saanich Peninsula Hospital, and especially, Dr. Jovic.
A private family funeral service was held in Victoria with interment at the Regina Memorial Gardens beside Dad. In lieu of flowers donations could be made to the Saanich Peninsula Hospital Foundation or Beacon Community Services Association.
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Janet Craig
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Walter and Lotte Schlenz Dear Craig!
We feel with you in this hard time. We are glad, that we could meet Eileen personally during our last visit in Victoria. We feel, that she was an exceptional personality and we will keep her in our memory with respect.
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Bob Yocom I am so sorry for all of you in the loss of your mother and grandmother. I know that the loss of a parent hurts in the deepest parts of your heart. May you find peace knowing she is at peace. May the memories of a life well lived give you comfort.
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Tracey Cook Send my love and support at this difficult time. Mom’s always have a very special place in your heart. My thought’s and prayers go out to you and your family. She was a wonderful woman and will be missed by many. All by best to you all.
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Cathie Grant-Goodman Dear Kendra, Susan, and Craig,
I am so sorry to hear that your mother has died. I have such wonderful memories of Eileen and the many years we spent living next door to each other. We were the closest of neighbors; there was such a wonderful openness to the relationship. Eileen was like a second mom, always there when you were locked out of the house, when you were babysitting 4 unruly sisters, when you needed to borrow a cup of sugar. That’s hard to find these days.
My deepest condolences,
Cathie
Hello to all the James family. I remember Eileen with fondness when she and Harry were active members of St. James.
No one could convene a tea like Eileen…so creative and organized and always with a smile on her face.
May she rest in Peace and my sympathy to all of you. Know that others think of her and pray for you as you grieve.