GIRVEN, Eileen (Harnden) – Eileen Girven (nee Brisbin) departed a life well lived on February 12, 2014 at Royal Gardens in Peterborough. Predeceased by husbands Howard Harnden and Jim Girven, sister, Leota Clarke and brother, Lloyd Brisbin. She leaves to remember all the good times her children Bonnie, Allen (Barbara), Lynn (Kathy) and Arthur, grandchildren Cindy, Lori, Dave, Jackie, Paul, Jesse, Ben, Robin, Stephanie and Jonathan; great-grandchildren Amber, Brittany, Adam, Olympia, Philip, Cole, Rae, Pierson, June and Finn, great-great-grandchildren Bryson and Charlee, along with many loving nieces and nephews.

Born in Harwood in 1922, Eileen moved to Havelock as a young girl. She attended Peterborough Normal School (Teacher’s College) and taught for two years at Old Havelock before she married Howard. They moved to Cottesloe after the war, where she took on all the tasks of a farmer’s wife and was very active in the United Church. In 1955 she returned to teaching at the 4th Line School in Dummer and later at Warsaw Public School. Over 1000 students passed through her classes.

Following Howard’s death in 1969 she married Jim in 1975 and spent many happy years on the Girven Farm entertaining friends and family with her delicious meals, often playing euchre and Scrabble. In 1999 she left the farm and moved to an apartment in Peterborough where she made many new friends and finished writing the story of her life. She spent the last years of her life at Royal Gardens where she was cared for by many loving people.

Family and friends were the centre of Eileen’s life which she nurtured through countless personal greeting cards decorated with her photos and, in later years, e-mails and Facebook. She will be missed by all those who knew her.

Eileen is resting at the BRETT FUNERAL CHAPEL, HAVELOCK. Visitors may attend at the funeral home on Friday February 14, from 5:00 - 8:30 pm. There will be a celebration of her life at the Havelock United Church on Saturday, February 15, at 11:00 am, Reverend Eleanor James officiating. Feel free to wear pink, Eileen’s favourite colour. Friends wishing to honour Eileen’s memory may donate to the Canadian Diabetes Association or another charity of your choice. Online condolences at www.brettfuneralchapels.com

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