My Dad and I wrote this ...

All about Eula

Eula was born in St Lucia on the 5 of March 1922. Over 88 years — some of them, not that easy — she made the most of her life. She lived a life anyone could be proud of.

As a girl she was athletic and adventurous and got into her fair share of mischief — things like falling out of coconut trees — which is hard to believe when you considered what a proper and upstanding adult she was to become. She was most proud to represent her school on the netball team. She also had an artistic side and loved to sing and act. Indeed, she had a real flair for drama.

As a young woman, during the hardest times of the Second World War, she went to work as a sales clerk for her Godfather to help to bring up her three younger siblings.

After her Godfather, she moved to work for one of the largest department stores, on the island.

In 1959 Eula took the bold step of migrating to Canada to join her youngest sister.

Her first job in Canada was as a nanny for a Canadian family. Her caring nature endeared her to that family and them to her. Some of them have joined us today. Over the years they were never far from her heart and she mentioned the W* family often and always with a smile.

From there she joined the department store “Freimans,” a family business that was bought out by the Hudson’s Bay Company in the 70s, as an account processing clerk. Staying with Freimans and eventually the Bay she worked as a sales clerk until her retirement in the early 80s. She was a most dedicated employee and it took a great deal to keep her from her post day after day. She took her retirement somewhat reluctantly.

Eula was a people person and she was loved by all who knew her. During her retirement she spent time helping others and being a companion to older folks. Eula valued these relationships and became a trusted friend to these seniors. One even showed her appreciation for Eula’s companionship by listing Eula in her will. Indeed, Eula was always there when anyone needed help. Even in her eighties she was the one many – family and friend — relied on to take care of them when illness threatened or some crisis rose up.

Eula was very active. A real example for her neices and nephews of how to live a full life. She travelled the world — the Carribean, Europe, the Holy Land. If someone needed a travelling companion she was always eager to go along.

She kept extremely fit. She swam every day and her swimming group was surprised to find that she was about twenty years their senior.

Eula loved sports. Her favourite Football team was the Dallas Cowboys and she was an ardent Blue Jay fan. She would scream — no exaggeration — at the players on the TV and had all kind of advice for the coaches – she called them names too. When she saw a spectacular play she would immediately call her friend and exclaim “did you see that pass?”

She loved to sing and dance. When she got sick some kind lady who sat behind her in church, sent her a get well card and mentioned that she missed her singing in church.

Eula was a very religious person – never missed a church service. She made friends easily and had wonderful ones who drove to church and back.

Eula never married but family was at the centre of her being. In her old apartment there was a credenza and every square inch of that credenza was taken up with picture frames. Pictures of her brother — whom she doted upon. Of her sisters whom she revered. Of her many neices and nephews – dozens of them. And grand-neices, grand nephews; great grands and her little great-great-grand neice. She loved them all and was always ready to hear of their accomplishments and endeavors. She had a soft spot for the boys and was ever forgiving of the mischief boys get up to. She loved the little girls and ribbons and bows put a smile on her face.

Eula passed away peacefully with her family at her side.