1922 – 2015
It is with sadness we announce the death of Eileen Lucille Upper, 92, at the Queen Victoria Hospital on Thursday, January 8, 2015.
Born September 14, 1922 to Martha and Herb Fischer of Sidmouth, BC, Eileen was the fifth of seven sisters. Reunions of the sisters over the years were delightful occasions of uproarious laughter. Eileen grew up on the family farm then left for Toronto with three older sisters to work during the war. Eileen returned home to Revelstoke where in 1946 she married Martin Upper and became a homemaker and mother of two. Eileen was an amazing cook; her specialties being the most wonderful bread and cinnamon buns. Neighbours were sure to drop in when the aroma of fresh bread was wafting out into the back yard.
In 1957 Eileen was introduced to golf and lived her passion for the sport for over 55 years. She had many accomplishments: Club Champion, Ladies Captain, Junior Development Co-ordinator, Zone Rules and Handicap Chairman, Tournament Chair for the BC Senior’s Golf Tournament and was one of the key players in starting the Two Lady Team Golf Tournament in Revelstoke. Eileen was always the ‘go to’ person at the Golf Course. If you wanted to know anything regarding golf and tournaments she was the one to ask. As any of her golfing friends would attest, the best part of Eileen’s game was putting, and she was tough to beat. In 1999 the Revelstoke Golf Club presented Eileen with a lifetime membership. She was incredibly honored by this award.
She was also a lifetime member of the Pythian Sisters, active member of the Revelstoke Seniors, an avid bowler, card player extraordinaire, enthusiastic bingo player, a good friend, wonderful mother, grandma and great grandmother.
Eileen in the past few years became very connected to the Revelstoke United Church. She would always comment on how wonderful everyone made her feel when she attended church. She thought very highly of Reverend Ken and enjoyed listening to him sing.
Eileen is survived by two sisters Thelma Soltice (Les) and Joan Frank of Calgary; her children Wayne (Bernie) of Victoria and Heather Duchman of Revelstoke; grandchildren Craig Upper (Lisa) of Nelson, Jennifer Duchman of Fort St John and Wade Duchman (Marianne) of Golden; great grandchildren Eli and Koby Upper, Micah and Jacob Duchman and many nieces and nephews.
Eileen’s family extended their deepest gratitude to Dr. McLeod and the staff of the Queen Victoria Hospital for their care of, and kindness to, our mother/grandma.
A Celebration of Life will be held in May, the date to be announced, at the Revelstoke Golf Course as requested by Eileen.
In lieu of flowers, contributions in memory of Eileen may be made to the Revelstoke Golf Club–Deck Enhancement Project or donations to The Kelly Shires Breast Cancer Foundation at www.kellyshiresfoundation.org.
Messages of sympathy may be sent to Eileen’s family by viewing her obituary at: www.brandonbowersfuneralhome.com.
Cremation arrangements were in the care of Brandon Bowers Funeral Home, Revelstoke.
