With deep sadness, we announce the passing of Eileen Elsie Hutsebaut (Schultz) on March 19, 2025, at the age of 88.
Eileen is predeceased by her parents Carl and Alice, sister Evelyn, nephew Timmy, brothers-in-law Andy, Max, Don, David, Bill and Lawrence. She will be remembered as a loving Mother to Shannon (Leo Feeleus), Tannis (Ritchie Bohn) and Grammie/Grammy/Grammi to Shelby (Wolfy), Kyla (Mike), Tara, and Erin (Bryce). Eileen is survived by six of her seven sisters Joyce, Doreen, June, Bev, Pat, and Gladys, as well as many beloved nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.
Eileen was born on March 15, 1937 in Eriksdale and grew up on the family farm in the Camper District. Camper and the Interlake area were always special to her. When we were kids, Mom took us to the farm in Camper for weekends and many family gatherings to visit Nana and Papa and our extended family of Aunties, Uncles, and Cousins. Eileen loved family gatherings.
Mom raised us in Headingley and at times worked more than one job to provide for us. She taught us to become independent women and as she said a lot during the last few weeks: loved us (her six girls) and all of her sisters unconditionally.
Mom was a longtime member of Headingley United Church. She was an integral part of the group that started a memory garden and enjoyed working in the flower beds at Church. Eileen volunteered at many of the Fall Suppers over the years and was always happy to bring fancy sandwiches and imperial cookies to Coffee Sunday’s. She appreciated that friends from the United Church kept in touch and visited her when she couldn’t attend church. The last service that she attended at Headingley United was on Christmas Eve, and that evening meant so much to her.
Animals had a special place in Mom’s heart. She admired birds, and all the many pets we had over the years, including horses, a goat, cats, and dogs. She adored all of her grand dogs, but her favourite was Billy, who she loved to cuddle any chance she got.
Eileen loved to travel and enjoyed some special trips with her sisters to the East Coast, Louisiana, and Mississippi. She also enjoyed driving around rural Manitoba to look at abandoned homesteads and vacant one room school yards. Eileen was passionate about curling. If curling was on TV, it wasn’t the best time to reach her. She would answer the phone briefly to let us know she was okay, then call us back as soon as the game was over to fill us in on all the details.
Spending time with her grandchildren was one of Eileen’s favourite activities. She took her grandchildren on countless adventures, including trips to Fort Whyte, Assiniboine Park Zoo, cemetery tours, walks on the Headingley Grand Trunk Trail, and days dedicated to garage sales. She was always up for a picnic, even in the rain, and enjoyed quiet moments in nature listening to birds sing, or roasting wieners around a campfire.
Eileen was very proud that she donated blood over 70 times. In lieu of flowers, please consider a memorial donation to Canadian Blood Services.
Please join us to celebrate Eileen’s life at Headingley United Church on Saturday, April 12 at 11:00 a.m. Lunch will follow the service at the Church. Interment of ashes will take place this summer in the Camper Cemetery.
Family and friends are invited to share memories and condolences on Eileen’s memorial page using the comment field below.
