Eileen passed away on November 11th 2019 at the Bradley Centre in Chilliwack, BC. She was just 17 days short of her 86th birthday. Eileen (nee Tidbury) was born in Victoria, BC November 28th 1933. Eileen is pre-deceased by her husband of 54 years, John Hier Jacob (also known as Jack or Jake), and her eldest son, Michael Hier Jacob.
Eileen was a stay-at-home mother to four children and navy wife. The family also took in several short-term foster children in their time of need. She took an active role in her children’s activities. She was involved with the Boy Scouts and Secretary of the Saanich minor lacrosse association while the family
lived in Victoria, BC. When they moved to Cobble Hill, Eileen became the secretary for the Cobble Hill Farmers’ Association and organized the Cobble Hill Fall Fair for several years. When their youngest became involved with 4-H, Eileen was a leader of the Cobble Hill 4-H Pattern Pixies sewing and craft club.When the family moved to Yarrow, Eileen and Jack became leaders of the Chilliwack 4-H sheep club. When their daughter graduated from high school and left home, Eileen and Jack became actively involved with St. Mary’s Roman Catholic Church, leading the youth group for a while, as well as spending time organizing the RCIA program, prayer group and bible studies. Eileen was also active in the Catholic Women’s League.
Eileen is survived by her three children Kenneth Duncan Jacob (Penny), Jacqueline Patricia Jacob, and Jean Elizabeth Porter; her daughter in law Lise Jacob; her ten grandchildren Jodie Stearns, Christine Buemann, Amanda Cowdy, Sara Wittig, Jack Porter, Jeff Porter, Joseph Porter, Jocelyn Porter, Shawn Ackerman and Stephanie Ackerman; eight great grandchildren Ariana and Gavin Cowdy, Freya and IvyWitting, Jacob and Luke Buemann, Blake Stearns, and Lucas Ackerman, with one more on the
way; and several nieces.
In the last few years of her life, Eileen found a new love, Colin Gaskin. He brought light, love, and a sparkle to her eyes in the last few years of her life. Her face would light up when Colin came into the room.
A viewing will be held Friday, November 22 from 7-9 pm at Henderson’s Funeral Home. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at St. Mary’s Roman Catholic Church on Saturday, November 23 at 11 AM. The final resting place will be at St.Mary’s cemetery, where she will lay next to her husband.
In lieu of flowers, the family is encouraging donations to the Canadian Diabetes Association.
