Eileen Louise Thurman

Eileen Louise Thurman, born on August 8, 1944 in Santa Ana, California, the beloved wife of Michael Thurman was the third of seven children of Gilbert and Beatrice Reyes. She was their first child born in California. Born into the dream of the golden state as many mid-westerners held and ultimately drawn here by a world war.

Eileen was the little sister of Gilbert and Sylvia and the big sister of four brothers - Buddy, Joey, Timmy and Tommy. She grew up in a classic post-war family - a mother who was a farmer’s daughter and a hard working father who ran and owned a service station near downtown Los Angeles. Full of energy and aware of a dynamic, changing world, she was a good student and enjoyed dancing and the arts. She made beloved friends, was a flagster, designing their emblem and just an active first student of Pioneer High School of Whittier, California, graduating in 1962. And it is where she became life-long friends with Carol Weber.

She contributed to the welfare and growth of her younger brothers. And following her sister Sylvia’s lead, she enrolled in college, Pasadena City College, and became a nurse which was her profession over 3 decades. During those years she shared the experience of her medical profession including her time as a surgical nurse. Her fascination for life, human life, flowed from her stories during her time in her profession. And her sharing revealed a very admirable professionalism.

We would all agree that she was a bundle of energy and someone you felt always in motion. We would consider her a stick of dynamite at times and also of tremendous joy and enthusiasm. The latter joy and enthusiasm is expressed by her children in their professions, social endeavors, their faith and technical and artistic talents. And Eileen could tell a joke and make us laugh, indeed.

Emotion was a key ingredient of Eileen’s makeup. She was an emotional person to both the great joy and ire of her siblings and loved ones. First and foremost, we remember Eileen with an infectious smile on her face, secondly with the expression of sympathy and empathy, and lastly with the temper of her mind. With her innate intelligence and rational side she struggled keeping her emotional side in check. A struggle we all share, she did her best, and her family and friends unite to celebrate her life.

Eileen married three times to intelligent and adventurous men. Joe, who chose marriage over the Jesuit seminary, was the father of her two daughters - Christine and Lise. Glenn was a bright, good-hearted man curious and technically inclined, and the proud father of their son, Raymond. And her beloved Michael, a career Navy man, educated and a life-long learner together shared quite the adventures and a great love of the San Francisco Bay Area.

Michael and Eileen’s paths crossed at Dominican College in Marin County. Married 32 years, they were loving and committed partners, through all of life’s challenges. Eileen, while not clear to all of us, committed to sobriety thirty-six years ago and continued to meet with friends of Bill W, a circle of commitment and caring. Michael a gentle and loving partner was part of that commitment that strengthened Eileen so much.

Three strong-willed children were Eileen’s greatest joys. They benefited from and endured childhoods that were extraordinary. Her family moved from California in the late 1970s to Boise, Idaho and Colorado for work. Christine and Lise became fine athletes in their loved sports of skiing, rock climbing and figure skating. Raymond became the little joy of energy of Eileen, his sisters and father Glenn. And Eileen worked and raised the three and maintained their household.

Eileen and family returned to California and resided in Santa Rosa. Originally from southern CA, she loved the San Francisco Bay area. There were difficult times for all when a relationship fails but Eileen carried on. Her children started their adult life. She chose to return to school and received a bachelor’s degree in international business from Dominican College in San Rafael, CA; no small feat for a middle-aged person to accomplish. During this time, Michael Thurman and Eileen met while he was teaching at Dominican and they fell in love. The lovely photos of them together is of their mature everlasting love and the love that comforted Eileen in her last days and that Michael carries with him as we mourn in the loss of our loved one.

In 2015, Eileen wanted to move to Monterrey. Michael and Eileen’s seven years in this beautiful environment was cherished by them. There are stories of their walks together and visits to the beautiful Monterey surroundings. While the move was not easy with health issues, the move was good. Her time did end here. And we wish her health had been better and for longer, but we are thankful for the life she had and the best of her that she shared with us.

Survived by her beloved husband, Michael Thurman, knowing my sister, Eileen would surely tell him to enjoy his time with his son Terry and his family, to find and make beautiful moments again. She is survived by her three children Christine, Lise and Raymond and Christine’s beloved children, Keegan, Camden, Kelen and McKenna. And survived by her sister Sylvia and brothers Gilbert, Buddy, Joe, Tim and Tom. We all carry her memory and carry on with Eileen in our hearts and with hope for the future, and assured that she is comforted now by the love of our parents. And we give thanks to all the good people Eileen shared and brought to our lives.