Eileen passed away peacefully on Wednesday, September 23, 2026, after a courageous battle with dementia.

She is survived by her son, Robert Patterson, his wife Barb Patterson, and her step granddaughters, Ayla and Katya.

Born on December 7, 1933, in Oshawa, ON, she was raised by her father, Robert Bartman, from Glenosheen, County Limerick, Ireland. She graduated from the nursing program at the Peterborough Civic Hospital and worked as a dental nurse in the R.C.A.F. She met and married Cpl. John Patterson on Christmas Eve, 1953 in Moncton, NB. On June 6, 1955, Robert was born. The next 20 years were spent on bases in Ottawa ON, Grostenquin, France, Centralia, ON and, finally, Winnipeg, MB. Eileen and John then moved to Banff, AB in 1974 as owners of Spray Valley Building Services. The following year, they purchased a house in Canmore, AB.

Aside from being a wife and mother, her accomplishments were many. She was a DJ on air force radio in France; graduated from the University of Calgary with a Bachelor of Social Work degree; worked as a journalist for the local papers; was elected to Canmore Town Council; served on community committees; acted as president of the Pika Toastmasters Club of Banff; belonged to various community choirs; did research work for the Canmore Miners Union on black lung disease; worked for a time with a Metis organization; was a guide at the Buffalo Nations Museum in Banff; and, was a member of the local Legion.

In addition to the above, Eileen was an accomplished pianist, a lifelong swimmer, a lover of dogs and cats, shiatsu therapist, spiritualist, and an avid hiker. Those interested in learning about Eileen’s life in the Bow Valley can find an article posted on the Canmore Museum website.

Our sincere gratitude to all the medical staff at the Canmore Hospital and the care providers at the Bow River Lodge who managed Eileen’s care with such compassion and respect.

A Celebration of Eileen’s Life is to be held at the Canmore Legion 834 7th St. on Saturday, November 21, 2026, from 1:00- 4:00 p.m. In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to CPAWS (Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society/Southern Alberta Chapter).