Winston Churchill’s great grandson, the late Jonathan Sandys, drove an hour through pouring rain to crown then 90-year-young Eileen Barnes Bauerlein, League City, “Queen of the Dance, Eileen the First” at a British Tea thrown by Bill and Neva Schroder and 170 other friends and family members. The tea was held to honor Eileen’s five decades of teaching Ballroom dance in the Bay Area to thousands of men, women and children, many of whom also became dear friends.
It was but one of the crowning achievements in a life filled with love, faith, laughter and a passion for sharing her love of dancing. Eileen, 97, passed away peacefully at her home on January 26, 2021, dancing to the end.
Born to parents David and Clara Barnes in East Battersea, England, Eileen grew up during WWII. Her family lost their home to a German bomb, and her brother was held as a POW in Japan. It made her fiercely patriotic both of her country of birth and of the country she adopted as a young bride. She had dual citizenship in England and the U.S.
In 1941, at a USO dance, Eileen met her to-be husband Rex, a Texas native and master sergeant in the U.S. Army Air Corps. He was tall and handsome, and he, too, loved to dance. Before World War II, Eileen had worked in a shop that made clothing for the British Royal Family. During the War, the shop switched its focus to producing items in support of the war effort, and it’s believed Eileen may have sewn parachutes. Her skills as an extraordinary seamstress were apparent in the clothing and dance gowns she made for herself throughout her life.
In 1944, 21-year-old Eileen married her husband and they shared nearly 50 wonderful years together before his passing in 1994. She moved to Texas in 1946, to the Bay area in 1949 and to League City in 1966. She was a stay-at-home mum to sons Michael and Philip (one of her very proudest accomplishments along with being a wife to Rex), Nana to her precious grandchildren and great grandchildren, taught pre-school at Creative Corners for 14 years, helped found the Ladies’ Auxiliary of the Clear Lake Elks Lodge (Rex helped found the Lodge), sang in the Bay Area chorus, and in the choir at St. Christopher Episcopal Church, her church home, earned distinction with Rex as Arthur Murray Gold Dancers, and taught ballroom dancing and later country/western, line dancing and even the hula. Together, they were founding members of the Mainland Dance Club, and taught dance at the College of the Mainland, NASA, the YMCA, and just about anywhere there was a floor. She had a penchant for teaching senior citizens.
After losing Rex, Eileen continued to dance, and met Ron Smith, his wife Leeann and daughter Bailey, who became close friends, and Ron convinced her to compete with him in ballroom dancing competitions, something she did for more than 25 years, winning her fair share along the way. They competed all over the state of Texas and as far away as Las Vegas, Virginia, and Florida.
She loved her family, traveling to see those who moved far from home, and also traveling and cruising with them to build special memories. Her home was always open to guests, who all understood she might be teaching dance lessons while they were there.
A humble woman, Eileen never understood why others felt her accomplishments were special and was surprised when others recognized them. The League City Mayor proclaimed her 96th birthday Eileen Bauerlein Day. She was also a Women of Distinction nominee.
Eileen is survived by her precious sons Michael Bauerlein, Portland, OR, Philip Bauerlein (Holly), League City, beloved grandchildren Jaclyn Weems (Danny), Colorado Springs, Rebeccah Bauerlein, Webster, Russell (Kim) Bauerlein, Milwaukie, OR, Duncan Bauerlein, Portland, OR and great grandchildren Archer, Lillian and Miriam Weems, as well as best friend Sumi Feltus, and her faithful companion, dog Sandy (she loved big dogs her whole life). She was predeceased by her husband Rex, her father and mother, sister Doreen Gordon (John), League City, brother Ronald Bauerlein (Kay), and a sister who died in childhood.
Eileen and Rex had a favorite song they loved to Rumba to called “Spanish Eyes”, which says, “Please, please don't cry. This is just adios and not goodbye.” Eileen. We love you.
Guestbook available at https://www.dignitymemorial.com/obituaries/webster-tx/eileen-bauerlein-10025373 Arrangements by Forest Park East, 21620 Gulf Freeway, Webster. Viewing is Wednesday, February 3, 2021 from 4-7 PM, and graveside service will be Saturday, February 6 at 10 AM. A Memorial Celebration of Life will be held at a later date.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the St. Christopher Memorial Fund, League City, stchrischurch.org/giving. Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be below for the Bauerlein family.
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