Obituaries

 

Eileen Mary Rhuda

Passed 04/27/2025

Text:

Obituary For Eileen Mary Rhuda

Eileen Mary Rhuda passed away on April 27th, 2025 at the age of 101. Eileen was born in Pipestone, Manitoba to the late Bert and Esther Miller. She would often talk about growing up on the Prairies in Pipestone and had fond memories of her childhood. Shortly after they moved to Winnipeg she met the love of her life, Ernest Walter Rhuda. They were married on April 24th, 1944 and were so in love for 54 years of marriage until his passing in 2001. In the early years of their marriage they moved to Ontario but soon after settled in their forever home on Baker Street in Yarmouth, Nova Scotia. They gave birth to their first baby, Glenn, who passed away at birth, followed by their son Danny, and daughters Judy and Linda. Ernie and Eileen showed such love for each other, often holding hands, kissing and caring for each other. They spent many years together dancing, golfing, playing cards and laughing.

Upon settling in Yarmouth, Eileen busied herself volunteering in many places including the museum, local charities, the church, the Red Cross, and the hospital gift shop. She always showed great kindness towards others in many different ways. Her heart was huge even through her grief. She survived many tragedies throughout her lifetime yet her motto for life remained “Laughter is the best medicine” or “Life without laughing is a dreary blank”.

Eileen absolutely adored her family. Each visit to Yarmouth would include a freshly made bed, home cooked meal, lots of playing cards, puzzles in Ernie’s hideout, visitors and time spent outdoors in their yard. Her love language was touch. She always made each one of her family members feel so loved. Ernie and Eileen spent many winters in Florida where lots of memories were made with new friends and lots of family visits. She stayed active into her 90's always going for walks, playing bridge, hooking rugs, knitting, gardening and picking rose hips for her well known rose hip jelly. Eileen lit up any room she entered and didn’t complain about much. She appreciated each day and loved anybody’s company.

Eileen is predeceased by her husband Ernie, her son Danny, her daughter Judy Starritt, her brother Tom Miller; and baby Glenn

She is survived by her beloved daughter Linda (Dave) Detienne; grandson David (Cindy) Detienne and great-grandson Cruz; Granddaughter Julie Thoring (Clay) and great-granddaughters Etta and Gracie; Son in law Cameron Starritt and grandsons Timothy Starritt (Nicole); Andrew Starritt and great-grandsons Findlay and Eamon; Matthew Starritt (Laura) and great-grandson Henry; and extended family and friends across the country.

As Eileen’s health declined she left her home in Yarmouth at age 91 to move closer to Judy and Linda. She spent 7 years at Parkland in Clayton Park before moving closer to Linda at Parkland in Dartmouth and spent her last precious 8 months at Saint Vincent’s Nursing Home in Halifax where the staff were phenomenal in caring for her at the end of her life. Thank you for your compassion, respect, attention to detail and love for Eileen. Our family is so grateful for everyone who cared and loved on her throughout the years. Your compassion and love for our dear mother and grandmother is something we will cherish and remember forever.

Donations in her memory can be made to:

Saint Vincent’s Nursing Home Foundation online https://svnh.ca/fundraising/in-memorium-donation/ or by calling 902-429-0550 ext. 112.

Yarmouth Food Bank – 902-742-0198

A celebration of life will be held on May 23rd, 2025 at 2:00pm at the Sweeny’s Funeral Home in Yarmouth, Nova Scotia followed by a burial at Mountain Cemetery; reception to follow at Sweeny’s

Photos & Video

Add New Photos & Video

Condolences

  • 05/06/2025

    Andra Beatty

    Irvin and I would like to express our heartfelt condolences to you Linda, and your family. Eileen always had a friendly smile and kind words. She was a joy to us all! And I am so grateful to have reconnected with her . Never a dull moment.. Sincerely, Andra Beatty

  • 05/05/2025

    Ann (Powell) Robichaud

    Dear Linda and Family, I was visiting with Louise this am and picked up Fridays's paper to look at the obits. Staring at me was your Mom's name and photo. I couldn't believe it! Louise and I send our deepest condolences. What a wonderful age to have lived! Your Mom was a beautiful person. She had such a beautiful smile. I can still see her standing in the doorway of our living room, so stately and beautiful. I have so many memories of she and your Dad with my parents; also a few memories of you and I in our younger years. Whenever I pass near the street where you lived, I have very fond memories of your family, and especially the special times my father and your father shared curling. Neither Louise nor I were aware that Judy had passed away. Our deepest condolences. I looked up her obituary; it was beautifully written. She was a lovely person. You must miss her very much. Louise has Alzheimer's, the later stages. If I had known that your Mom was still living, and in Dartmouth, I would have gone to visit her. We have two daughters living in Dartmouth. Thinking of you during this time of bereavement and sending love. Sincerely, Ann (Powell) Robichaud

  • 05/04/2025

    Marjorie McBay

    Eileen was indeed a grand lady! She was always welcoming, a great story teller and showed great love for her family. My deepest condolences to her family.

  • 05/02/2025

    Kirby Grant

    Hi Linda: I read your mother's obituary just now, and all my memories of your family came back to me. I remember Danny and Judy, your parents, and of course, you, my first friend. But I think your mother, Eileen, was actually my very first memory, or one of my very first. She was talking to my Mom in the sun porch of our house on Ellis Avenue. I had been ill, and I was wrapped up in blankets half asleep in a big chair in the evening sun. I remembering waking and realizing that they talking about me. Your Mom spoke to me, and said something like you will have to meet my little girl. And, of course, we did meet and spent lots of time together in the neighbourhood (and with Cathy) and at your home., and then off to school for kindergarten and grade one. Your mother was always very interested and lovely to me, which was encouraging for a rather introverted little one. And as my middle name was Eileen, a name my mother often used with a smile, I liked that Mrs. Rhuda had that name too. These have always been good memories for me. I liked those early years in Yarmouth. My condolences to you and your family, but congratulations to your Mom for a long and meaningful life. From our earlier life, a friend, Kirby Grant

  • 05/02/2025

    Shari Landry

    Hello, Linda, Just wanted to send along the condolences of all of us here at Cameron Hall. I shared your mother's obituary in the coffee lounge this morning and there were so many lovely comments about your mother. Found out, too, that Jean L. also helped her raid the rose hips. We had a lot of smiles. I shared your story about your mother donating her hat pins to the museum in Yarmouth and the women were so glad. Take good care of yourself. It has been such a pleasure to know your family. Warm regards, Shari

  • 05/02/2025

    Rebecca Churchill

    My sympathies Linda to you and your family . Rebecca Churchill

  • 05/02/2025

    Pauline Amirault

    My condolences to you, Linda and all your family. You spoke so fondly of her when we had lunch in November. May she rest in peace. Pauline

  • 05/01/2025

    Cathy Monchamp

    I am sorry to hear of Eileen's passing - or Judy's mom as I referred to her. She always showed a smile, had positive words and such kindness. Sending condolences from the Ogden family in Ontario.

  • 05/01/2025

    Kari-Anne Pendlebury

    So sorry to hear about your Mom Linda and Grammie to Julie and David.. Hoping the memories of the many happy memories carry you through the hard times. Thinking of you and your family.. Kari-Anne Pendlebury

  • 05/01/2025

    Sandra killam

    Sincere condolences Linda to you and your family. She certainly was a lovely lady! Sandra (Clarke) killam

  • 05/01/2025

    Michael Tavares

    It is with great honour that I call Eileen, Erie, Judy and Linda along with others in the her family my adult family. Eileen and Erie adopted Neil and I into the family in 1999. We shared wonderful times together with lots of laughs. We shared a common interest in collecting special things. In 1999 while on a trip to NYC I stumbled into an antique shop and found a lovely hat pin which I acquired and gifted to Eileen to add to her extensive collection. While visiting their home one evening I was introduced to a vast collection of antique trivets hanging in her lovely kitchen. I studied each one and they all had a story. She looked at me and said, pick one. I chose a spider web and treasure it to this very day. Our Inn's breakfast menu always featured a jar of her famous Rose Hip Jelly. Rest in Peace Grand Lady. With much love your adopted son, Michael Tavares

Add a Candle or Spiritual Image

Click below to add to your message.