Born on August 11, 1947 in Victoria BC, Eileen passed away on June 25, 2010 after a valiant 8 year battle with cancer. Predeceased by her loving parents Peter and Margaret MacGregor, Eileen is survived by her daughters Mary (Joe) and Robbyn (Greg); sisters Margaret and Maureen, her dear friends Marie Ange, Jane, Pat, Jane, Marcy, Joan, Ann, Laura, Maureen, Bev and Sheila; and her beloved pets Sebastian, Darby, Petra and Dipper.
Eileen leaves a legacy of working with, and caring for, children and individuals with diverse needs. Eileen shared compassion and joy with all those she worked with. Active in Victoria’s playwright community, Eileen’s play The Starlight Tour was the winner of the 2004 Rona Murray Award for Playwriting, and a finalist in Theatre BC’s Canadian National Playwriting Competition. Eileen’s play, The Harvest, was awarded first prize for plays by the Community Art Council of Greater Victoria.
Eileen will be remembered for her kindness, strength, artistic talent, personal integrity and incredible sense of humour. In lieu of flowers, donations to the Eileen MacGregor Gordon Scholarship fund are graciously accepted through the UVic Development Office, PO Box 3060, Victoria, BC V8W 3R4. Ph: 250-721-7624
The family extends its sincerest thanks to all those at the BC Cancer Agency and Victoria Hospice who provided care and quality of life for Eileen with such compassion and respect. A special thanks to home-care nurses Pat L. and Dawn W. for their kindness and diligence. A private celebration of Eileen’s life will be held for close family and friends (contact 250-920-8559). We love you Mom.
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Maureen Peden
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e.pat white To Eileen’s family, especially her daughters and her sisters, Margaret and Maureen.
I went to St. Ann’s Academy with Eileen and also saw her at Uvic. We lost touch over the years and I moved away from Victoria to pursue my career in social work. Eileen and I had some good times together and , of course, I so enjoyed all of the family. I remember some good times on Forbes Street and my sister, Maggie was great friends with Margaret. Mrs. MacGregor and our mother also visited back and forth. We also knew some of the aunties as well. Our history seems to go back a long way.
I recently met Eileen in a store and we had a short conversation and I suggested we have coffee sometime, to which Eileen readily
agreed. It is with much regret that we didn’t meet again. I just learned about Eileen’s death and wanted to exted my deepest condolences to the family. Eileen was a gifted person and clearly touched the hearts of many. Many people were in Eileen’s life and I am so glad she had such loving support around her. I have remembered Eileen with my prayers and hope your special memories of her will comfort you in the time ahead. May you rest in peace, Eileen. Sincerely, Pat White (formerly known as Eleanor)
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Sonja de Wit Eileen’s work was sincere and heartfelt, and always well-observed. She had compassion for people in difficult situations, like old age or being part of an oppressed community like the native people or in the Catholic church in Ireland, but her compassion did not make her blind to the humanity of their responses. There are all kinds of scenes and observations in her work that have stayed with me because they worked.
She was a quiet person who didn’t push herself forward, but she had good things to contribute at Charles’ Belfry workshops.
I will remember her with fondness.
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Monica & Rolf Maikranz Our condolences on your mother’s passing. Our thoughts are with you during this difficult time.
Regards,
Monica & Rolf Maikranz
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Vicki Waterman Dear Mary & Robbyn,
We have such wonderful memories of times together when you lived on Kisber. Mom & I visited & drank tea while you girls played. It has been nice to see you again, Mary, first at Braefoot then the dreaded bootcamp!
our deepest sympathy with you both! You will miss her very much. You can both be proud at how you have cared for your mom. She was a blessed woman to have such daughters!
Our love to you both,
Peter, Vicki, Kristie, Kim & Ken
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Sue (Glover) Koolman Mary
Though its been years I still think of you and your mom and sister. I am very sorry to hear of her passing. She had a great sense of humor and put your and Robbyn’s interests first and foremost.Sue Koolman
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Barbara Burnet Dear Robbyn, Mary, Margaret and Maureen,
So sorry to hear of Eileen’s passing. I only met her once but feel like I knew her through Maureen. My impression was just as you described her-kind, artistic and that McGregor sense of humour.
My sincere condolences to your family.Barbara
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Nancy Harwood Dear Mary, Robbyn, Margaret and Maureen,
This morning I read with sadness the notice of Eileen’s death. Please accept Brian’s and my heartfelt sympathies on the loss of someone so special — your mother and your sister.
I remember Eileen especially for her intelligence and her wit — much like those of her own mother and her sisters.
Mary and Robbyn, having lost my mother to cancer when I was 34, I know that you will miss Eileen every day. I trust you will find comfort in knowing you were with her every step of the way on her journey.
Our thoughts are with you all today.
Nancy and Brian
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Terri Thomas Mary and Robbyn I was sad to read of your Mom’s passing. She and I are almost the same age. I remember your Mom from the years I taught you at Campus View. We had some good chats during P.T. interviews, not always about your progress, but more about Life in general. I could tell that Eileen was a woman of substance. May you be comforted by your memories and the love of family.
Sincerely,
Mrs. T. Thomas
Robbyn and Mary, Margaret and Maureen
Although Eileen’s passing was not unexpected, I am deeply sorry and sad to hear that she passed last week whilst I was away. She was so proud of her “girls” and she did a terrific job with her daughters…which you have heard said by many I am sure. Eileen had a great sense of humour and intelligence, bringing her through many tough times in her life. She had deep connection to spirit and trusted the path she was on. She will be missed by many, myself included.