Eileen Sylvia Engbert

Eileen was born in Quesnel, BC. Her family moved about that part of the Province until they finally moved to North Vancouver in the late 30s. Her Dad was working in Burrard Shipyards as an electrician on the ships being built.

Eileen, and her sisters, had many stories about waking up late and running down Lonsdale to get to the Ferry that would take them to their jobs in downtown Vancouver. And, of course, they also had many stories about running to catch the last Ferry home at night (after all there is more to life than work!) and climbing up Lonsdale at night.

It was during this time that the Royal Canadian Navy was having Corvettes (Convoy Escort Ships) built at the Burrard facility. Since there were no barracks for the sailors on the North Shore, sailors were billeted with families. This is how she ended up meeting her future husband, Ray. Her Dad, George, and my Dad, Ray, met and became friends on the ship. Ray often said that he knew her Mom better than Eileen. It was not uncommon for Ray and May (Eileen’s Mom) to be at the kitchen table playing crib when Eileen got home.

Eileen and Ray were married after the war. They struggled with finding a home, with finding jobs, just like so many others. With the help of some friends, they bought a lot in North Burnaby. This is where they built their first real home. Literally one board at a time. This home is where my sister Barbara and I grew up.

Eileen and Ray were quite successful. There were ‘ups and downs’ as was usual in the post-war years but they were always optimistic, and neither was afraid of working.

When they retired, they first moved to Bowser on Vancouver Island. Eventually moving to Qualicum Beach to live in a home that Ray constructed as he turned 65.

After living in Qualicum Beach, they moved to Abbotsford. After Ray passed, Eileen moved to Mission. They had been married 63 years.

Eileen was predeceased by her husband Ray, her two sisters Irma and Lillian, her brother Howard.

Eileen leaves behind her daughter Barbara and her husband Ralph. Her son Gordon and his wife Anne. She also has two grandchildren Tessa and Nicole (Bev Raymond, mother) and two great-grandchildren Fiona and Hamish. (Tessa mother)