Obituary of Eileen Whitelock
EILEEN WHITELOCK
(née O'Hara)
November 27, 1940 - March 31, 2022
It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Eileen. Predeceased by her parents, Jack and Theresa O'Hara and her best friend and sister, Maureen Smith. Survived by her husband of 57 years, Kenneth Whitelock and her children, Kelly (Jeff), Matthew, Kate (Rhett); her grandchildren, Victoria, Thomas, Caitlin, William, Isabella and Jessica; her step-grandchildren, James, Jenna and Ava. Also survived by her siblings, Sheila Fowler (Clive) and Brian O'Hara, and her nieces and nephews, Kurtis, Marcella, Emma, Amy and James.
Eileen was born in Ballynacarriga, Ireland. She stayed in Ireland for the first five years of her life as WWII raged on in Europe, and moved to Northampton, England when the conflict ended. She spent the next part of her childhood in Northampton and, as all kids who grow up in a small town want to do, left Northampton for the glam and glitz of London in the swinging 60s. She and Maureen lived a fabulous and busy life in London, cavorting with the likes of George Harrison and Mick Jagger before anyone knew that a "Beatle" was anything more than just a bug and a "Rolling Stone" wasn’t merely a rock on a hill.
It was in London that Eileen set her sights on her future husband, Ken. Always up for an adventure, Ken convinced Eileen to move to Canada, the land of opportunity. She often spoke of her sea journey to Montreal in the late spring of 1966, and as they sailed up the St. Lawrence thought "what the heck have I done??"
Ultimately settling in Toronto with only $100 to their name and a single trunk of belongings, both Ken and Eileen spent the next 56 years building an extraordinary life for themselves and their children. From the west end of Toronto, to Lawrence Park, to the Annex, and finally to The Bellagio Condominium at Bloor and Jarvis, the pair made many friends and had many adventures along the way.
Eileen enjoyed a 30-plus year career as a media sales executive at the Globe and Mail (a short stint) and the Toronto Sun (longer at 30 years!) and was one of the top media reps in Toronto. She was the epitome of grace and glamour and her co-workers and clients loved her dearly, as evidenced by the many notes the family has received since her passing.
Eileen loved to dance, drink manhattans and have a good laugh - she made many a mean manhattan in her day! She also rocked a leopard print blouse, leather pants and fur coats. She was simply gorgeous - inside and out.
Nothing brought her more joy than her grandchildren. Whether enjoying her "babies" in Toronto or making her yearly trek to Australia for her down under crew, nothing made her smile more than being around her grandchildren - they were the light of her life!
A special thanks to the staff at St. Michael's Hospital - 9th floor, Neurology Department - as well as the staff at Baycrest Hospital, including, but not limited to, Dr. Freedman, Dr. Kirzner, Dr. Senderovitch, nurses, Sharon and Robin Mitchell - you made Eileen's final year as comfortable as possible and helped her family immensely through this difficult and emotional time
As much as Eileen loves flowers, if you choose to honour her, she would prefer that you donate to one of her preferred charities, CAMH, the Toronto Humane Society or a charity of your choice. Condolences may be forwarded through www.humphreymiles.com.
© 2021 Humphrey Funeral Home A.W. Miles – Newbigging Chapel Limited. All Rights Reserved.
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