Eileen left us November 20, 2021, after a long, tough battle with cancer.

 

She will be missed by her sister Joanne Moloney (David); brother Jim Poklitar (Jeannie); nieces, Holly Poklitar (Blaine Martinson), Nicole Couch (Steve), Rachael Poklitar (Tim Debenham), and Meghan Moloney (John Keating); nephew Kevin Moloney (Sarah); great-nephews, Matthew, Jack, Cameron, Liam; great-niece Zoey; and by many friends.

 

Eileen was born July 12, 1958 to Michaline (née Wallaski) and Nick Poklitar, and grew up in the Point Douglas and St. Boniface neighbourhoods of Winnipeg.

 

After graduation from high school, she worked in the financial services and insurance industries, before launching a long career with Greater Winnipeg Gas - Centra Gas - Manitoba Hydro.  Eileen took night courses for many years after high school, some for interest’s sake, but most to expand her skill set and advance her employment.  She moved through entry level positions to take on increasingly challenging and responsible duties, and particularly enjoyed her work as Procedures Analyst/Technical Writer.

 

Throughout her life, Eileen had an unconditional love for animals.  Her family often had pets when Eileen was growing up, and she continued acquiring and pampering dogs and cats throughout most of her adult life.  She made sure they lived the absolute best lives she could provide, with the proper nutrition, regular visits to the veterinarian, and endless attention.

 

There were very few days as an adult that Eileen didn’t have at least one book on the go.  She enjoyed reading (and often re-reading) “classic” novels but didn’t shy away from new works or relatively unknown authors.  In her later years, as reading became more difficult, movies took the place of books.  As with her book selections, she was always looking to be moved by that great story.

 

Eileen loved shopping.  Even when she was no longer able to drive to the mall or supermarket, she read all the sales flyers, cover to cover.  Price was important, but she made sure she got good value for every dollar she spent.

 

Eileen loved to make people laugh, and her friends and family will long remember her dry wit and deadpan delivery.  She was a keen observer of people, with a knack for finding the funny things in unfunny moments.

 

Although she had a healthy fear of the dark side of the internet, Eileen embraced the digital world. She made a point of converting whatever she could from paper mail to email, used messaging extensively, and enjoyed online games such as Words With Friends.  She was very active on Facebook and recognized it as a way to meet new friends and keep up to date with family. Despite having her own struggles, she made a point of using her social media presence to brighten the days of her contacts.  She stayed away from the negativity that is so prevalent online.

 

We lost this bright, independent, determined, and strong-willed soul far too soon.  In her final days, as her illness advanced and her tremendous will to live diminished, her spirituality lifted her, and she was at peace with herself when she passed.

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A celebration of Eileen's life will be held at a later date. In the meantime, Eileen's family kindly requests that all of her friends and relatives take a few minutes to honour her memory by watching the photo-biography above. Please, also consider sharing your own photos, memories, and stories by making use of the comment section on this page.

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We’d like to thank the medical staff at Riverview Health Centre and St Boniface Hospital, as well as the Home Care nurses and aides, for all of their compassionate care and support throughout Eileen’s illness. In lieu of flowers, please consider donations in Eileen’s memory to The Humane Society.