Tribute

MONCRIEFF, Eileen
August 8, 1921 – May 5, 2010

It is with great sadness that we announce the death of our dear wife and mother on May 5 at the McKinney Place Extended Care Unit in Oliver, BC. Eileen Moncrieff is survived by her loving husband, John, of 70 years, daughters Carol (Charles) Crawford, New Westminster and Elsie Fish, Rescue, California; and son Randy, Vancouver; along with grandchildren Robert Fish, Bradley (Cindy) Fish, Patricia (Kelly) Schneider, Daniel (Kim) Ellsworth, Sean (Brigid) Crawford, Michelle (Michael Deptuch) Crawford, Shalena (Jeff) Woolslayer, Jacqueline Nemes, Eden-Dawn and Angeline Agate, and great-grandchildren Brett Cooke, Carson and Ty Schneider, Michael Fish, Taylor and Madison Ellsworth, Julian and Heather Woolslayer, Ide and Tasgall Crawford and Theodore and Autumn Depford.
She is also survived by her sister Marguerite Franklin of Wainwright, AB, and brother Ralph (Maxine) Nelson of Nanton, AB. She was predeceased by daughters Frances Ellsworth in1996, and Nancy (Douglas) Agate in 1997, by granddaughter Kim Ellsworth in 1991, by parents Elof and Opal Nelson, brothers John and Swede Nelson, and sisters Isabelle Polinkas and Dorothy Howe.

Alma “Eileen” Moncrieff, nee Nelson, was born on August 8, 1921 in High River, Alberta. She had a wonderful and lively childhood with her three brothers and three sisters, living in the Meadowbank community west of High River. She married John Moncrieff in 1939 and they lived on his father”s farm until he enlisted in the Canadian Army in 1941. After his discharge in 1945 they took up farming on their own land. In 1950 when John enlisted again, Eileen and their three daughters, Carol, Elsie and Frances moved into a house in High River. Eileen was a member of the Fern Leaf Rebekah Lodge during these years, as well as volunteer leader with the Brownies (of the Girl Guides of Canada). When John returned from Korea in 1952 they gave up farming for good and moved to various locations throughout Alberta and northern BC for a number of years. Eileen remained the homemaker while John tried out various occupations. By 1957 they had a son, Randy, and another daughter, Nancy. Meanwhile the older daughters had left home and married. In 1967 John and Eileen moved to the Okanagan area of BC, with the two youngest children. They first lived on an acreage on Sawmill Road outside of Oliver and in later years moved into town. Her grandchildren remember visits where they could pick fruit off the trees, enjoy Grandma”s wonderful cooking and baking, play croquet, and sit around the outside fire pit on a summer night. One of her brothers remembers what an excellent rhubarb pie maker she was. Eileen worked outside the home as a fruit grader at the Oliver Co-op Packing House for several years and was also a Home Care Services worker. She was very skilled at sewing, embroidery, knitting and crocheting, which she enjoyed doing and teaching to her daughters and even a granddaughter. She was a faithful member of the Royal Canadian Legion Women”s Auxiliary In Oliver for many years and enjoyed attending the weekly Legion meat draws with John on Saturdays. She played two games of Scrabble nightly with John for years. She also loved playing bingo with her friends and was well-known at the Seniors” Centre. In 2004 Eileen”s failing health necessitated her move into McKinney Place Extended Care Unit, where she resided until her passing. The family wishes to thank the staff at McKinney Place for their compassionate care and support. At Eileen”s request, there will be no service, but we shall certainly all remember her for her quiet strength and sweet nature, as well as her many other admirable qualities. She was a good woman and we love her fiercely.
Condolences & tributes may be directed to the family by visiting www.nunes-pottinger.com
Arrangements entrusted to Nunes-Pottinger Funeral Service & Crematorium, Oliver & Osoyoos, BC.