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The family of Eileen Gladys Burden uploaded a photo
Thursday, March 29, 2018
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Ron Kirby posted a condolence
Wednesday, April 27, 2016
Hello Uncle Eugene. Ronnie here. my sister just found this obituary so sorry
for the long delay.
and so sorry for your loss. though I never met her it sounds like she was a very sweet person.
with love
Ron
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Robert Wade Kenny posted a condolence
Sunday, February 15, 2015
It has been more than two decades since I last saw Eileen, yet I remember her both clearly and dearly. Certainly this is not because she took pains to make her presence stand out – she did the opposite, a tendency both noble and rare. To be able to set one’s own worth aside, for the sake of others, has always been regarded as the true measure of greatness in a person: it has characterized the difference between celebrities and heroes, between kings and tyrants, between the child and the adult. Lao Tzu , for example, wrote that only the humble are capable of command, and one can see the truth of this line in the lifetime of guidance that Eileen was able to give her children, revealing itself in strategies as subtle as a ten cent a day salary for making one’s bed, a small gesture that transformed itself into a lifetime of proper order. When I ask myself how it was that Eileen managed to command so great a respect, a respect that made her children want to be like her, a respect that caused me to always think of her as an ideal symbol of motherhood, I can only reflect upon the impression that she gave me each time I visited her home, or met her with the family in one of the homes of the children, or when we all went out to dinner: Eileen seemed, whenever I spoke to her, to convey the impression that she genuinely believed in me and in what I was trying to achieve in my life. Now, this was a very rare thing because my ambitions were eccentric, if not impossible. I never felt that when I talked with Eileen, however, nor did I feel it in any of the aspects of the way that we related. For example, all those years ago, well it was December 31, 1985, I finished a manuscript for a novel that was over 800 manuscript pages in length. Eileen was one of the first people to ask to read that book. She told me how much she loved it and even asked for a copy if one were available. I had few copies, but I gave her the stencil that was made with the original when I typed it; and I would not be surprised if she kept that manuscript her entire life because Eileen’s expressed interest in others was always genuine – she was able to find what was best in other people and not only acknowledge it, she could cherish it as well. Thus, while it is true that George’s professional success in writing has been the result of decades of hard work, I know that such effort cannot occur if faith in oneself is not already deeply written and rewritten; and I very much imagine that George gathered much of that faith from his mother’s eyes, because I experienced its effects myself, albeit much more briefly and usually at a distance, as I typically lived in other cities and would only hear her good words through Laurie, Diane, Heather, or George. This great ability to take in the other person’s world, rather than impose her own, carried over to her oldest and wonderful daughter Lori, whose genuine compassion toward others and interest in Eastern philosophy are a direct extension of something in Eileen’s very core, which I myself recognized as I described above. These parallel qualities in Eileen were enriched by her practical ability to turn that care into the ways and work necessary to make a meaningful home and family, a trait most strikingly apparent in Diane. Finally, each of these great forces was motivated by a profound sense of natural wonder and optimistic joy at the heart of the world, something expressed most apparently by her youngest, Heather. In these ways, and other ways of which I am too distant to be familiar, Eileen wrote herself into the nature of her children, who look at their world with their own eyes, but see it through their mother’s. Eugene, of course, could not be shaped from boyhood by Eileen, for he had a mother of his own. And I know the marital relationship only through the happy days we spent together. I do know this, however: men such as Eugene, men of discipline, character, and responsibility to family, are not forged over an open flame. They require a heat that is far greater for that sort of metal. Now, again, I am at something of a distance, so it may seem presumptuous for me to be the person who says it, but I will let the claim be considered for its veracity rather than its source. And so I will say what I believe of Eileen and Eugene: that the intensity and character of Eileen’s love for Eugene, much more than affection and adoration, created a force that illuminated him from the inside, that made possible all his good decisions and all his sacrifices, that made it possible for him to be the remarkable man and father that he was. I first met Eugene when he was cutting down trees in a vacant lot beside his home, and I remember the impression of power that he commanded. I know, from my own life, that that sort of power is not internal to the man, and comes instead from the love that only a certain kind of woman can give. Eileen was that sort of woman, one might spend a lifetime to meet one. Of George, it is almost impossible to write. In many senses, I knew him best of all; yet, when I think of all the conversations that we had, all I can really say is reflected in the simplest of sentences: George loved his mother. Of course, this may seem to say nothing at all, particularly to those who do not know George well. George knows what it means, however, and I am sure that the rest of the family knows this too. The word love is overused in our culture, so much so that it is usually impossible to detect its significance when we read it. In this case, it means that George’s heart was fully open to the radiance of her motherly care from the first time she held him in her arms to the last time that he held her in his, and that she never made him feel vulnerable as a result of that openness. Because he could love her in this way, George was able to excel at everything that he did, succeeding as early as high school, with the Governor General’s medal, and then going on to live a life of both adventure and accomplishment – accomplishments that deeply gladdened her, as she wanted her children to be happy. Eileen created, for him, a standard of excellence in women that would inevitably leave him disappointed more than once, because there are so few people who can live with the dignity and compassion that emanated from Eileen with grace and ease. Much of what is good in George is also of Eileen. Life is a fated sending to which none of us may offer refusal; and it leads to days such as these. Among the ways of dealing with such endings, however, we may treat death as the ending of a story. Doing so takes away none of the pain but it does allow us to gain a sense of the meaning of the experience of life itself. In Eileen’s case, for example, her death is the end of a story well-told. A story in which all the characters can move forward, strengthened by memory, rather than burdened by it. A story which, like all true adventures, will have painful moments; nevertheless, a story that transcended those moments, converting them from failures into accomplishments. Rare is the person who completes such a story, and what a joy to live alongside it while it is being told. For those of us who remain, whether or not we will also do so remains a question. It is, for example, a question for me; and if I do, part of the reason for the meaningful story of my life will be that I had the chance to know Eileen Burden and think about who she was as a person, to learn from who she was. And whereas my own story has so much benefitted from knowing her, I have no doubt this will be true for all of you as well, much more so. In this sense, Eileen’s story continues most forcefully in you. It is a trivia that I have written here, to honor a woman who was so good to me, and to honor her family. On the one hand, I am, as an outsider, embarrassed by the spectacle of a long tribute. But I do not write from vanity. When I think about Eileen and her unneccessary generority to me, when I was young and narcisstic enough to take such a giving heart for granted, I realize that there is no other way for me to thank a woman that I did not thank well enough in her own lifetime than to honor her memory as best I can upon her passing. I imagine Eileen reading this, more than anyone else, and so I have written it both for and to her, as much as to all of you. I write from a profound sense of debt I cannot pay to a wonderful woman in a world with few wonderful people, who made me feel joy and light even in a superficial relationship, and who showed me that light through the eyes of her family whenever I have spoken to any of them, even on the rare occasions that I see them now. Eileen will be one of the little known great people in our world, and this is how it should be, for as the I Ching says, “The wise person gladly leaves fame to others.” She will, however, shine on in Burden eyes, in the eyes of her husband, children, and her grandchildren, inspired by the force that leaves, among so many other things, memory. Indeed, even when that memory is lost, a few generations from now, the light of Eileen will still shine through in people not yet born, whom we do not know, as they go forth in the tale of their lives. In such ways, and possibly others, Eileen has made of herself an eternity. And this is what I know she made of her life; that she found an eternity in a world full of death, found it in each of you. For myself, I carry only a few moments of Eileen within me, few enough, but enough that I could see this. How much greater must be your own vision of who she was and what she has done for each of you. It is my hope that you let her speak from inside you in this difficult time, of her ongoing presence in your lives, that you see how she has become you, and that you carry within you this wonderful person to the end of time. Finally, if this link works, I would like to direct you to what I believe is the most beautiful song about womanhood and motherhood that I have ever heard. It speaks to me and gives me strength with regard to women who have mattered to me in my own life, I only hope it may do something of the sort for you. Wade https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9oiAST03Zw0
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Joan Penney, Kathy Penney and Chris Pike posted a condolence
Saturday, February 14, 2015
Mr. Burden, Lori, George, Dianne and Heather, so sorry to hear about the passing of your mother. I have very fond memories of Mrs. Burden when you were living next door and later down the street or in Logy Bay. Visiting was always fun; she always made my family and I feel welcome with her beautiful smile and thoughtful conversation. She was a good friend and neighbour to my parents. I still have the antique candy dish that Mr. and Mrs. Burden gave me. May your memories of her help you through this difficult time. Kathy, Joan and Chris
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Gerry & Miria Chisholm posted a condolence
Wednesday, February 11, 2015
Gene, Dianne, Andrea, Suzanne, George, Lori, Heather and families please know that the Chisholm family is thinking of you at this difficult time. Eileen will always be present as one can see her likeness in each of her children as evident from the lovely pictures posted with the obituary.
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Cynthia Robertson posted a condolence
Wednesday, February 11, 2015
Dear Heather and Family, Please accept my sincere condolences on the passing of your mother, I am thinking of you during this time. Cindy Robertson
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Debbie Hall Rozee posted a condolence
Wednesday, February 11, 2015
Eugene and family, My sincere condolences to you at this difficult time. My thoughts and prayers are with. I have very fond memories of chatting with Eileen many times while working at the check-in counter in YYT. She was a wonderful woman.
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Shauna Scanlan posted a condolence
Wednesday, February 11, 2015
Dianne, Rod, Andrea, Suzanne and family. I know your hearts must be so heavy. Just a note of love for you and to know that I am thinking of you and will connect soon for hugs and conversation. Love Shauna
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Garland Snelgrove posted a condolence
Wednesday, February 11, 2015
To Eugene & Family, Edwina and I would like to extend our words of comfort and condolences to you to your family at this time. Sincerely, Garland
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Donna and Grant Tabbiner posted a condolence
Wednesday, February 11, 2015
To my best friend Diane, my friends Lori, Heather ,George and families . Please accept our sincere condolences at this sad time. You had an angel of a woman for a mom and she will be missed by her family and friends. I just want you to know I am thinking about each of you at this time. Diane I will be back in Halifax, at Paula's Mardh 5 for two weeks and we will get together then. Love to all Donna and Grant
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Howard and Aletha Poole posted a condolence
Wednesday, February 11, 2015
So sorry to hear of your Mom's passing. It is always hard to lose a parent. Our thoughts our with you and your family in this difficult time.
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Harold Macpherson posted a condolence
Wednesday, February 11, 2015
George, I was saddened to hear about the loss of your mother. It's not an easy time as I know my mother passed away last year. Just wanted to know I was thinking of you. We have been friends for a long time.
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Marlene Mathers Dube posted a condolence
Tuesday, February 10, 2015
We were all so sad to hear of Eileen's passing. She was a real gem and couldn't do enough for people. Our families have so many great memories that I will always cherish. Thinking of you all during these difficult days. Hugs Marlene xo
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bernice( kean) robbins posted a condolence
Tuesday, February 10, 2015
Sincere sympathy to Eileen's Family. WE were special school friends and classmates at Curtis Academy.Eileen was a beautiful and very intelligent student.I always asked for her when Rose and myself met.Cherish her memory
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James & Paula Edwards posted a condolence
Tuesday, February 10, 2015
Diane, Lori & family, Thinking of you at this sad time. I couldn't help but smile as I read your Mom's obituary at some of her character traits that I know live on in her children. Please accept our deepest sympathy. James & Paula
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Trudy and Keith Churchill posted a condolence
Monday, February 9, 2015
Uncle Gene,George,Lori,Diane,Heather You and your families are in our thoughts. Auntie Eileen gave us many fun and loving memories. She has a special place in our hearts.
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Iva Burris posted a condolence
Monday, February 9, 2015
George, so saddened to read of your Mom's passing. My condolences to you all at this very sad time. Love, Iva
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Brenda MacPhee posted a condolence
Monday, February 9, 2015
Diane and Family, Please accept my sincere condolences on the passing of your mother. She sounds like she was a wonderful lady; a beautifully written tribute.
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Barbara Renouf posted a condolence
Monday, February 9, 2015
To Diane, Lori, George and Heather I shed tears of fond memories of your mom, as she was a "gracious lady". Not only did your mom calm your "adolescent turmoils" but helped me with mine and my mother. You are all in my prayers at this very sad time. Barb
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Steve Guinchard posted a condolence
Monday, February 9, 2015
Gene, Hilda and I were sad to read the Obituary on Eileen's Passing. Our thoughts and Prayers are with you and your family at this sad time. God bless.
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Janet and Peter Bonang posted a condolence
Monday, February 9, 2015
Diane and Family: We are so sorry to hear of the passing of your Mom. Our thoughts and prayers are with you all at this difficult time.
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Cathy Connolly posted a condolence
Monday, February 9, 2015
Lori and family...my sincere condolences regarding the loss of your Mom, may she sleep in Heavenly peace. Lori, many years have passed since our high school days at DGH, however the fond memories shall last a lifetime. God bless you as you grieve the loss of your Mother....Cathy.
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Donna Urquhart posted a condolence
Monday, February 9, 2015
I am thinking tenderly of you and Ariana today. May your happy memories of the past bring you comfort and peace. Lovingly Donna Urquhart.
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Jay&Ashley Henneberry posted a condolence
Monday, February 9, 2015
Diane, So sorry to hear about your dear Mom. Thinking of you and the girls at this difficult time. xxoo Jay, Ashley & Alexander
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Medical Centre posted a condolence
Thursday, February 5, 2015
Medical Centre made a donation to ALZHEIMER SOCIETY OF NOVA SCOTIA