It is with a mixture of sorrow and rejoicing that we announce that Eileen Patricia Warthe is home in the presence of her Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ. She entered His presence February 21st, 2024, after a brief battle with cancer.
Eileen is survived by her husband of 40 years, Paul Warthe, her children Reuben (Jessica, grandsons Liam and Brexton), Andrew, Nathan, Steven (Janelle), and Matthew. She is also survived by her siblings Mike, Gail, Stuart, and Heather, mother-in-law Elfriede, brother-in-law Alan, and numerous aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces and nephews.
She was predeceased by her father, Paul Roy and mother Pearl Roy (nee Ratzlaff), and her brother Brian McCabe, all of Calgary, AB.
Born in New Westminster, B.C on April 5, 1959, she moved to Calgary with her mother while in early elementary school. After high school graduation, Eileen moved to Regina, SK to attend Canadian Bible College and Canadian Theological Seminary, earning a Bachelor and Masters of Christian Education. Shortly after, she met and, in 1983, married Paul, waiting patiently while he caught up to her (education wise) before together pursuing a life of ministry.
The core of Eileen’s life centred around her relationship with Jesus Christ. After being introduced to Him at a summer camp, Eileen’s life was forever linked to Him. Her faith and dependence on Him began to grow and never stopped until she transitioned into heaven. Her love for her Saviour became contagious, leading her to dedicate her life to introducing others to Him.
Aside from raising five sons, Eileen had a heart for children. Summers in Calgary during her high school years found her leading children’s programs for the City of Calgary Parks and Recreation. She had such a heart for children that she, as poor as they, would bring bags of extra sandwiches for kids who did not have a lunch. She served in various roles at Camp Chamisall (her camp name was “Nanny”) in Brag Creek, just outside of Calgary, once again to give children a taste of the love of Christ. She started and ran a school daycare at college while her husband studied. While serving as a pastor’s wife, and for years afterward, summers found her involved in Daily Vacation Bible Schools either at the local church level, or the community level in Portage la Prairie. Winters in Portage meant working with the Salvation Army, leading the organization of their Christmas toy drive. However, once the Operation Christmas Child bug caught her, there was no turning back. Starting as a local church representative in the early 2000’s, she assumed the role of area coordinator in 2008. She saw the Christmas shoe box as a perfect way to spread God’s word calling each box a Gospel Opportunity. She took opportunities to distribute shoe boxes overseas so as to better understand the organization, the needs, and ways they could be improved and met. Above all, it was to reach the hearts of children around the world with God’s love.
Eileen’s final years of employment were spent teaching. It began with substituting but ended mostly with Early years students at Austin Christian Academy, north of the Town of Austin, MB. The school remembers her strong faith, teaching children how to pray and challenging them to put faith into action and not just words.
The celebration service for Eileen will be held Tuesday, 10:30 a.m., February 27th, 2024 at the Portage Evangelical Church, 72 – 3rd St. NE, Portage la Prairie, MB. There will be a viewing the evening of Monday, February 26 from 6:00 to 8:30 p.m. and again beginning at 9:30 a.m. at the Church just before the service Tuesday.
The family would like to thank the doctors and nurses of Cancer Care Manitoba, the Palliative care team, Portage Home Care aides, and the doctors of the local clinic for their efforts in providing comfort to their wife and mother during her illness.
In lieu of flowers, please make donations to Samaritan’s Purse/Operation Christmas Child. To give to Samaritan’s Purse in Eileen’s honor, please call 1-800-663-6500 and ask to be transferred to Donations. Once transferred, please verbally indicate that you would like to donate in Eileen’s honor, and the representative on the phone will take care of the details.
You can also alternatively mail in cash or cheque to:
Project: Operation Christmas Child
Samaritan’s Purse Canada
20 Hopewell Way NE
Calgary, AB T3J 5H5
Please indicate on the cheque or write a short note in the envelope with cash that your donation is for Eileen’s Memorial.
To share memories or leave condolences, please visit http://www.ronaldmoffitmemorialservices.com
Ronald Moffit Memorial Services of Portage la Prairie, MB in care of arrangements.