OBITUARY

Eileen Greenwell

Eileen was born in 1925 in Lion Terrace in Portsmouth opposite the gate of what is today the Royal Naval barracks of HMS Nelson. This early association and love of the navy was to stay with Eileen throughout her life. Her father was a Petty Officer in the Royal Navy based at HMS Vernon and when she met and married Joe he was a Chief ERA in the Royal Navy.

On leaving school at 14 she worked as a shop assistant for Timothy Whites and Taylors. Unfortunately for her this only lasted for a week before the shop was bombed and with that went her job. But Eileen soon found another job that kept her going until she was evacuated with her mother and sister Alma to Horley in Surrey in 1941. Here she and Alma had a wonderful time and it was during the evacuation that Eileen developed her interest in clothes and dancing.

Both Joe and Eileen were very good ballroom dancers and a joy to watch. So much so that Eileen was even asked to turn professional and partner another man. This she declined.

Marriage became complete with the joy of Joe junior being born in 1951 and Elaine in 1952. Of course being in the Royal Navy Joe was posted abroad many times through the early years of marriage and in those days this could be for periods of two to three years. Eileen like many wives then had the responsibility of bringing up the children singlehanded which she did admirably.

Eileen herself was not fortunate to have a good education but she was determined that her children would study hard at school and she gave them an upbringing that instilled strong values. She always took enormous pride in all her family's achievements.

Eileen was a bubbly person full of fun. She was a very caring and sensitive lady who saw only good in everyone. The impact of her illness was very frustrating for Eileen but she bore it stoically and still urged others to take care of themselves rather than her. Joe was the love of her life and never more so than when he looked after her in their final months together.

Eileen had a strong faith in God, whom she felt gave life and love as his gift to her. We send our sympathy to Joe and his family. May she rest in peace and rise in glory.