Eileen Elizabeth (McLoughlin) Davidson passed away peacefully just short of her 96th birthday on Friday, June 16. Born in Fort William August 4, 1921, she was the eldest child of Patrick and Ida McLoughlin. She attended St Stan's Elementary and St Pat's high school followed by Normal School (teachers college) in North Bay, Ontario.
Mom began her teaching career at 18 years of age in a one-room school house in Baird. She later accepted a position with the Catholic School Board and taught the rest of her career for them until her retirement in 1986. Most of her career was spent in the Kindergarten classroom and as it is said that Kindergarten is the year that sets the entire tone for your academic development, she set thousands of children on a solid path. Mother was an accomplished pianist and organist, a water colour artist, voracious reader and amazing blueberry picker and we reaped the benefits in the form of pies. Besides her love of family, Mom was a member of St Patrick's Cathedral and after her marriage St Andrews church, where she was the organist and a 69-year member of the CWL.
Mom and Dad cherished their family and never missed the opportunity to celebrate our life events and accomplishments, especially for their grandchildren. They were present for birthday parties, appearances in school plays, sporting events, dance competitions, first communions, confirmations, graduations, weddings and retirements. Even after our Dad's passing, Mom continued to travel and was so thrilled she was able to attend the post graduate degrees being received by three of her granddaughters.
Eileen is survived by her three daughters Moira Lecky of Abbotsford BC, Monica Gustafson (Ron) of Tucson AZ, Sheila (Marty Knezovich) of Hermantown MN., her six grandchildren Erin Lowe(Andy) of Ottawa, Heather Lecky (Carl White) of Blaine MN, Kara Gustafson of Columbus OH , Erik Gustafson of Denver CO, Evan Johansen of Minneapolis and Rachel Johansen of Minneapolis, her great-grandchildren Colin and Fiona Lowe and Hudson White. Other relatives include her sister Agatha Bennet of Nanaimo BC, brother-in-law Denny Belanger of Winnipeg and sister-in-law Barbara Davidson of St Catherine's. Nieces, nephews and cousins also survive. Eileen was predeceased by her husband Rae in 2005, her parents, an infant daughter, sister Colleen Belanger and brother Bernard McLoughlin.
The family would like to extend their gratitude to the staff of the Primrose Unit of Roseview Manor for their care of Mother during her stay there.
Funeral services for Eileen Davidson will be held on Monday, June 26, 2017 at 11:00 a.m. when family and friends will gather for The Mass of the Resurrection at St Andrews Church, 292 Red River Rd celebrated by Father Antoni Fujarczuk and Father Luigi Filippini. Visitation for friends will be held on Sunday, June 25, 2017 from 6-8 p.m. in the Sargent & Son Chapel where the Vigil Service will begin at 7 p.m. In lieu of flowers donations in Eileen's memory may be made to the St Andrew's Dew Drop Inn or the Thunder Bay Humane Society. Online condolences may be made at www.sargentandson.com
