Eileen Francis

Eileen Verna Francis, a mother to all and friend to many,  passed peacefully at her home in Clarke’s Head on Thursday, October 7, 2021 where she was loved and cared for by her children that she raised. Our mom was born February 23, 1942 in Clarke’s Head to parents Kenneth and Ella Gillingham. She grew up in a large family with four brothers and two sisters. She fell in love with Pearce Francis and out of that relationship her first child was born whom she named Elvis. She married our father Leonard Francis and her family continued to grow. Della, Perry, Brenda, Jacqueline, Leonard, Kathleen, Connie and Randy. That completed her child bearing years but she has mothered other children all her life. From her grandchildren to great-grandchildren who in our Mom’s eyes and heart were all her babies and children. Her caring hands have been a part of so many lives. Her last babies to fill her arms and heart were Baby Myer and Little Kylie. Mom was blessed to have 6 grandchildren and 5 great-grandchildren. With such a big family Mom used every occasion possible to bring us all under her roof and around her table. All occasions had to be celebrated with the pot on and turkey in the oven.  Everyone else fed first, her being the last. She always put others before herself. Her table and home was open to friends and strangers alike. 

Mom loved her garden and the many birds that visited her bird feeders and houses.  Every morning when she woke she would look out her window at the bay to see what was going on with  a  comment about the weather and the different birds .Mom was blessed to have a large family and many friends .Three of her closest were Ivy Francis, Wavey Russell and Ann Francis. She was so overjoyed when Ann came home from Toronto to visit with her for a week. It meant so much to the family. Anyone who knew our mother would use wonderful kind-loving, compassionate and selfless words to describe her. She showed her love in her actions by the way she lived her life and treated others.                                                                                                                                        
In amongst all the happy times there was a whole lot of grief, trauma, sorrow and pain. Her recent heart-shattering pain was the passing of her grandson Kyle. In her words, “No, not a grandson, that’s wrong , a son. That grief and pain she carried always. Mom’s love was for all and she gave it freely.  All  our spouses weren’t  in-laws they were her sons and daughters. Because she experienced so much hurt and pain she could sympathize with others in similar situations. Sometimes words were hard for her to find.  She had a place in her heart that was always filled with thoughts and love for Jeff, Kyle and the two dogs DD  and Max.  Mom has left a big hole in our family. Her home now will never be the same .Our brother Randy and sister Jackie will now be the new normal. But we as a family can say as one voice that Randy our youngest brother has demonstrated what love is in the purest form. From being here all his life beside mom and taking care of her every need .We are all a product of Mom and each of us will live a life that she has taught us. She has gone now to a better place waiting for all of us her children. Til we meet again Mom you were loved so so much and will be dearly missed.

Resting at New World Island Funeral Home, Summerford, NL. Public visitation will take place on Sunday, October 10, 2021 from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Funeral service will take place from the funeral home chapel at 2:00 p.m. for invited guests only.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Eileen’s memory may be given to her family.