Mrs. Eileen Clare Sinkinson

Eileen was born in London England to Kathleen and Bernard Bird, the youngest of four daughters, Maureen, Sheila, & Patricia. She graduated with a nursing degree from Westminster Hospital in 1958 and joined the Central Midwives Board in April 1961. Eileen always said that if you have seen the show ‘Call the Midwife’ - that was what her work was like in 1960’s London.

In 1963 Eileen moved to Bermuda to nurse and in 1964 she travelled from Bermuda with her nursing friends to Vancouver on a cruise. It was on this voyage she met her future husband Douglas, a Vancouverite, who had been on a vacation with a group of friends. Eileen immigrated to Vancouver on August 4, 1965, and secured a nursing position at Shaughnessy Hospital caring for injured servicemen and veterans. In February 1967 she married the love of her life, Doug, they settled in North Vancouver where they raised their two children Kathleen & James. Eileen was extremely proud of her grandchildren Wesley and Sarah whom she loved deeply.

Eileen and Doug purchased a cabin on Bowen Island in 1967 and it was there that the family spent weekends and summers, gardening, hiking, reading, and spending time at the beach. Many a ‘happy hour’ was hosted on the deck overlooking the ocean with lifelong friends on Bowen. Eileen was a devoted Catholic and, until recently, she was an active member of St Gerard’s Church on Bowen Island.

In 1982 Eileen became a proud Canadian Citizen. She studied hard before her test and was shocked when she was only asked a handful of questions!

Eileen was recruited to be a volunteer at the Vancouver Aquarium by her good friend Coreen Martin, in 1985. The fit was perfect. She volunteered more than 3,750 hours over 35 years. Eileen said her time there was ‘a joy’. She loved to learn and was a gifted educator to the primary school groups that she led through the galleries over the years. Joining the aquarium trips was a special part of her adventures. Some highlights for her were Haida Gwaii and trips to Vancouver Island. Eileen formed deep friendships with many of the people she worked alongside at the aquarium.

Eileen and Doug enjoyed travelling. They explored British Columbia extensively, traveled across Canada and into the US. They spent time in Hawaii, Costa Rica, New Zealand, Australia, Fiji, The Cook Island, England, Ireland, South Africa, Kenya, and China. After Doug passed in 2006 Eileen continued to travel and explore. She walked the Camino de Santiago pilgrimage in 2011, traveled to Argentina, Mexico, New York and Bermuda, and took a cruise through the Northwest Passage.

Eileen was a very generous person who loved to read, laugh, and tell a good story. She is at peace now with Doug at her side.

She is survived by daughter Kathleen (Mike Jessop), grandchildren Wesley and Sarah. Son James (Cathy & Donovan). The family would like to thank everyone for their prayers and support during this difficult time.

____________________________________________________________

You can shed tears that she is gone, or you can smile because she has lived.

You can close your eyes and pray that she’ll come back, or you can open your eyes and see all she’s left.

Your heart can be empty because you can’t see her, or you can be full of the love you shared.

You can turn your back on tomorrow and live yesterday, or you can be happy for tomorrow because of yesterday.

You can remember her and only that she’s gone, or you can cherish her memory and let it live on.

You can cry and close your mind, be empty and turn your back, or you can do what she’d want: smile, open your eyes, love, and go on.

Anonymous.