Turnbull, Eileen M.
1911 - 2006
We announce with sadness and regret the passing of our friend Eileen Turnbull.
Eileen is survived by her brother Neal, seven nieces and nephews and a host of friends in Comox.
Eileen was born in Regina, Sask. the fourth among nine children of Mr. and Mrs. Robert Turnbull. She was educated in Regina and graduated from Business School in 1931. From 1931 to 1934, Eileen was employed by the Federal Government in Ottawa working on Census Tabulation.
In 1936 the family moved to Comox. Work was hard to find during the depression and she did many odd jobs until finding permanent work with Canadian Collieries Dunsmuir Ltd. In Cumberland as a stenographer and payroll clerk. In 1948, she was employed by the City of Courtenay as a clerk.
In 1956, she found her true calling when she was appointed, from among 46 applicants, to the position of Clerk and Treasurer for the Village of Comox. During her time there, Comox became a town and she was named Administrator of Comox and obtained her senior certificate in Municipal Administration and Finance and also her certificate as a Professional Administrator from the Institute of Chartered Secretaries and Administrators. On retirement in 1969, Eileen was named a Life Member of the Municipal Officers Associations of British Columbia.
Retirement did not sit easy with Eileen and she was elected and served 5 years as an Alderman on Comox Counsel. Volunteer work also filled her retirement years and she was on the Board of Glacier View Lodge for 7 years and was named a Life Member. She dedicated 21 years to St. Joseph’s Hospital Life Member of the d’Esterre Senior Centre. In 1992 she received a Governor General’s Medal marking Canada’s 125th Birthday.
Eileen enjoyed her life at Stevenson Place since 1997 and passed away peacefully on Saturday, September 30 after only a few days in the hospital. At Eileen’s request, there will be no service, but a private family interment at a later date when she will join her sister Mona.