Eileen Cecilia Odowichuk

Eileen Cecilia (Drader) Odowichuk (1926-2017)

Eileen left us peacefully, surrounded by family, on January 20, 2017.

Born in Radway, Alberta, February 11th,1926, the third child of Bert and Ida Drader, Eileen was a force of nature from the start. Despite modest means, the Drader household was filled with love and Eileen had a happy childhood including many adventures with her siblings. When Eileen was seven, the Drader family moved west to Victoria. In 1944, on her 18th birthday, Eileen joined the Canadian Armed Forces where her sewing skills were recognized even then, and she was assigned to the army's tailor shop in Vancouver. In April of 1945, Eileen married Mike Odowichuk. She was discharged from the army in September of 1945, and their first child was born in April of 1946. Over the next 19 years, they would have 7 more children together.

After moves to Victoria, Campbell River and Needles, BC, the family moved back to Campbell River in 1952, where they put down roots as the family grew. Raising a large family in itself was a huge challenge, but Eileen's further accomplishments were remarkable. With a limited budget, she prepared delicious meals, sewed clothes for the family (with or without a pattern), knitted, crocheted, made custom draperies, upholstered furniture, and fixed almost anything that was broken. Ever-resourceful, Eileen learned to drive a D8 "Cat" during land-clearing on the farm. She was also a pioneer of the 'open concept' house and did not hesitate to pick up a sledge hammer to remove a wall if more space was needed in a room.

In 1970, the family moved to Alder Street. Eileen loved to be in the thick of things and was the heartbeat of the home that played host to countless Thanksgivings, Christmas dinners, card games, sleepovers and family gatherings. A renowned storyteller with an outrageous sense of humour, Eileen loved to make people laugh and could keep a room in stitches. Always open-minded and accepting of others, she made anyone who arrived at her door welcome and established many lasting friendships.

A gifted quilter and seamstress, Eileen was an active member of the quilters guild. Selfless, skilled and creative, she also produced countless costumes, stuffed animals, sweaters and trinkets for family and friends. These gifts were not pretty, wrapped packages but pieces of herself, offered from the heart. She also spent many years as a volunteer for the Campbell River Hospital Thrift Shop and was a founding member of the "Fire John Young Movement."

Always adventurous, Eileen loved road trips and would often load up the kids and head for Victoria in the wee hours of the morning to avoid traffic. These were special times and meant to ensure the Odowichuk kids would remain close with the extended family. In her later years, Eileen enjoyed letting someone else take the wheel while she enjoyed modern luxuries like warmed car seats and listening to her favourite music, from classical to country.

In retirement, Eileen took on many new hobbies including her dark room where she developed and printed thousands of photographs documenting her family's history back to the 1700's. In addition to her own family's heritage, Eileen embraced Mike's Ukrainian heritage, devoting countless hours to crafting Ukrainian Easter eggs (pysanky) and her world famous perogies. Later in retirement she would embrace the power of computers to stay in touch with friends and family (often including a suspect joke or two).

Eileen lived for her family, whom she loved unconditionally and with abandon. She often said she would not take a million dollars for any one of her children and would not pay a dime for another. A product of her modest and principled upbringing, Eileen was a fierce defender of her children, her friends, and "the underdog."

Creative, spontaneous, outspoken and prepared to defy convention, Eileen remained true to herself and empowered others to do the same. In times of adversity, she found the strength to carry-on when many would have faltered. She lived life to the fullest with passion, warmth, intelligence and humour. We are forever grateful for the time spent with her, as well as the example she set for us all. Both she and Mike left us their sense of humour. Even in their last moments, laughter was present with our tears.

Eileen was predeceased her parents Bert and Ida; her husband Mike; sister Nellie and brother Bill; three of her sons, Stephen, Patrick and David; her Grandson Drew and Great Granddaughter Corrina. She is survived by five children: Ron Odowichuk (Judy), Julie Jackson (Gerry), Michael Odowichuk, Jenny Sawatzky (Howard), and Connie Davidson (Barrie). She is also survived by 7 grandchildren: Stefan (Amy), Margo (Evan), Corey (Rebecca), Gabrielle (Grant), Madeleine (Jay), Bryan (Leanne) and Dylan (Leora), 7 great-grandchildren: Brett, Gavin, Ashley, Shayla, Kieran, Hannah and Wesley; sisters Julie and Flo (Trev), sisters-in-law Rosemarie and Mary, and her dear friends Rosemary and Betty.

Eileen's family would like to send heartfelt thanks to Dr Angela Logan, and the staff at both Ironwood Place and Evergreen Seniors Home for their incredible patience, care and compassion.

A celebration of Eileen's life will be held in Campbell River, Friday, May 19th, 2017. For those wishing to join us; please contact any of the "kids" for details. Having lived in Campbell River for over six decades, Mom is certain to have established friendships that we are not even aware of; we would love to hear your stories.

In honour of Eileen, please offer a random act of kindness or attempt something that on another day, you would think impossible.



Arrangements under the direction of Sutton's Campbell River Funeral Home, Campbell River, BC.