Eileen Evelyn Thompson

Eileen Thompson was born in Île-à-la-Crosse, Saskatchewan November 29th, 1945 and passed away on May 2nd, 2024 at the age of 78. She was a beloved sister, wife, mother, aunty, grandmother and great grandmother.

Eileen was predeceased by her parents, AJ and Ester Norton, husband Mel Thompson, sons Cary, Gerald, Archie and Cliff, grandsons RJ, Cze-sand and granddaughter Nikki and siblings, Alvin, Girlie, and Penny Norton.

Eileen is survived by her brothers: Morley Norton, Willy (Evangelina) Norton, Clarence (Rulcie) Norton, Herbie (Bev) Norton, Ronnie Norton, Rene (Lucy) Norton and Howard Norton; sisters: Margaret Samuelson, Gerry (Richard) Redman and Elizabeth Coles. Her children Anne (Len) Laliberte, Morley Laliberte, Chaisen and Eugene. Grandchildren Raymond, Rowan, Krystle, Deo, Shay, Isaiah, Robert Jr, Viana, Dinean, Daylon, Rayne, Trenton, Kingston, Kayden, Kiera, Bonnie Jo, Cole, Chaz, Caje, Tory, Cainen, Jase, Jewel, Nazlyn, PJ and Cheyanne. Kayla, Kristen, Danielle. Great Grandchildren, Irelynd,Aaliyah, Knightly, Knox, Malone, Athena, Yemoja, Kalina Marcus, Mylen, Lexxus, Lincoln, Willy, Jackson, Jonny, Skyler, Nihkosis, Sky Blue, Keenan, Meleigha. Reighlene, Brandan and numerous special nieces, nephews and all the children that she always showed so much love to.

Eileen’s legacy will be how thoughtful she was, how she lived her life to the fullest always making sure her family was fed, that they felt cared for, comforted and encouraged family to get along regardless. She was also very stern when she needed to be and told you exactly how she felt about things whether you wanted to hear it or not. She always encouraged family when they were down on their luck, encouraging people to do better and making every effort she could to make them feel supported and cared for. She always made sure that when she had wild meat, fish, dry meat, that she would take it around to her family members and shared it. She would always stop in Indian Head Bakery to grab a box of bread and drop off for family members, making sure they had food to eat. She would give her last few dollars to others. She was always travelling to the North once to twice a year until the past few years, it was a long trip and she started to make fewer trips and her heart was always with her family there. In the summer months, you would find Eileen at a local powwow, sitting in her chair watching the powwow and she was known to show up with a huge pot of soup and fresh made Bannocks for the entire camp. When her local powwow was on at CTK, she opened her home to all the visitors to sleep, shower and eat. Her sister Margaret and brother Ronnie travelled to powwows as venders, and you would always find Eileen in their kitchens cooking and helping. She also enjoyed watching ball and hockey.

Eileen raised many children in her lifetime, her eldest grandson Raymond lived with her for many years, as did her granddaughters Nikki, Krystle and grandson Deo. She also took care of nieces and nephew Tony, Renee and Travis. She also fostered numerous children and raised her two sons Eugene and Chaisen since they were young boys and she travelled all over with them by her side.

Eileen always worked hard her whole life, her work ethic was strong where she devoted her lifetime to going over and above in her work and volunteer positions. Eileen held many jobs throughout her lifetime including Native Metal Industries, CMHC Manager, Carry the Kettle Housing Manager for over 20 years. She was also a housing manager for PAGC and a project manager for the Living Skies Casino in Swift Current. As she navigated towards retirement, she was sought out for her expertise by many Nations and organizations to educate, guide and support housing management staff. She was a consultant and trained numerous Housing Managers on reserves in Treaty 4 and Treaty 6. areas. In her work places, she was often the only woman in her workplace, she was a leader, assertive and was really good at her jobs, and she mentored so many people to follow in her footsteps. She had a board position at the File Hills Qu’Appelle Tribal Council Qu’Appelle for the Safe Shelters, Wichihik Iskwewak Safe House (WISH) where she advocated for the safety and well-being of women and children.

Eileen travelled a lot to the north where she grew up in Buffalo Narrows with her Norton family. She travelled down south to Regina to start a new life with her kids and worked as a taxi driver and a waitress to support her family. In the summertime, her brothers played fastball where she met her husband, Mel known as “Mr. Fastball”. Soon after they built a home together raising their children in Regina until the early 1980’s, when Mel moved the family back to CTK. She owned a house in Indian Head, where her adult children lived, as well as numerous other family members when they needed a place to stay until she sold that home close to her retirement. She lived on CTK for the past 40+ years where her door was always open, her family was always welcomed with good meal, visits and lots of memories made.

Eileen was a beautiful person inside and out, she had many, many friends and colleagues that she kept in touch with throughout her lifetime. Another one of her gifts was her smile, it would light up the whole room. She cared so deeply for all the people around her. She was so kind and passionate. Eileen was one of 13 siblings and she a huge family with so many loved ones, nieces, nephews, grandchildren, close friends and colleagues. She made an impact on many people’s lives that is irreplaceable. She will be forever missed and always remembered. Until we meet again.

A celebration of her life will take place on Wednesday, May 8th, 2024 at 10:00 AM at Victoria Avenue Funeral Home, 2080 Victoria Avenue East. Regina, Saskatchewan.