Eileen Tremblay

M. Eileen (Theriault) Tremblay

25 May 1937 – 27 February 2021

It is with sadness that we announce the passing of our beloved mother Eileen Tremblay in Ottawa on 27 February 2021. A long-time resident of Dalhousie, New Brunswick, she moved to Ottawa in 2016 to be closer to her grandchildren.

Predeceased by her husband Daniel Tremblay in 2008, Eileen was the daughter of the late Narcisse (Nels) Theriault and Stella (McCarron). She is survived and will be deeply missed by her sons Bryan (Elisa) of Toronto, John (Dianne) of Ottawa, Kevin (Letty) of Ottawa, and Tony (Ellen) of Fredericton. Each of her four daughters-in-law considered her a dear, close friend. She is also survived by six grandchildren she doted on – Jake, Kathryn, Claire, Sarah, Jonathan, and Julianna – two faithful sisters, Anne-Marie Methot of Kingston and Evelyn (Jarvis) Harquail of Dalhousie, and many nieces, nephews, and in-laws she always found ways to stay connected with.

Eileen’s life had many dimensions, the most important of which was devotion to family. Trained as a nurse at the Halifax Infirmary, she practiced at the Montreal Veterans’ Hospital and the original Ottawa General before putting her professional life on hold to raise her sons across the several locations our father’s career took us. Throughout those tumultuous early years she was our rock, cheerfully and efficiently navigating new school systems, new neighbourhoods, and new adventures. No challenge seemed too daunting, and no challenge ever diminished her energy or optimism. When our father’s career took us back to Dalhousie, she rekindled her passion for nursing, working until retirement as a geriatric nurse and then volunteering for the Red Cross, Meals on Wheels, and the CWL.

A lady of great dignity, warmth, and inner strength, Eileen was guided by a deep Catholic faith that lit her way through trying times. She loved live musical performances, international travel, good literature, beach walking, conversation, laughter, and friendship, revelling always in close circles of friends. She maintained lifelong ties to many classmates from the Infirmary and cherished their class reunions. When she left Dalhousie in 2016, her small craft group remained close to her heart. Their letters and calls gave her joy and comfort to the end, as did the loving concern of her sisters and attentive sons.

Committal will take place in Dalhousie, N.B. when pandemic conditions allow.