Tribute

We are sad to inform you that on May 8, 2026 Eileen Bridget Bhattacharya slipped away from this life into the next. Eileen Bridget was predeceased by her husband of 63 years Dilip, fathers James O’Brien, Ronald Heathcote, and her mother Margery. Margery’s had seven siblings. Eileen’s mother first married James O Brien, had Eileen Bridget, and was killed in WW2, therefore Margery re-married Ron Heathcote who adopted her. Eileen Bridget was predeceased by her Aunts Daisy, Beatrice, Dorothy, Uncle Stendall, Aunty Elsie, Uncle Cliff, Aunty Nellie, Uncle John, Aunty Edith, Uncle George, Aunty Ida, Uncle Harold, cousins Christine, Alan, Brian, and Sonia. Eileen Bridget leaves family behind to mourn her loss, including son Daniel, grandson Ethan, and partner Meredith. Eileen Bridget leaves her daughter Abigail, partner Godspower, grandsons Makalo, Rochon, and wife Nozi. Eileen Bridget has cousins, including Beryl, Sheila, David, Pauline, Micheal, Maureen, Suzanne, Tony, Phillip, Helen, Katherine, Ben, Dorothea, Matthew, Luba. Eileen Bridget had lots of Bland cousins, and before she moved to Canada the family enjoyed big gatherings at Christmas Time.

Eileen Bridget was born during the Nazi wars, and had many stories to tell relating to the lifestyle during that time period. Eileen Bridget and her cousin Suzanne are only a few months different in age and because their mothers were close, they spent a lot of time together playing as primary age children. Living in Nottingham, Eileen was the city girl and Suzanne was the country bumpkin! Eileen Bridget often stayed with Aunty Beatrice and Daisy when they were living at the Station House in Jacksdale. Eileen Bridget took Suzanne to the cinema to see Elvis in his first film, and ice hockey matches with her father Ron. Ron’s mother was in charge of the guests at the big house on Colville Street, where commercial travellers stayed.

Eileen went to Windley Primary School and then Nottingham Girls’ High School which was close to where they lived. She went on to a Teachers’ Training College. Near Liverpool and afterwards taught at schools in the Nottingham city area until she had her son Daniel. Eileen Bridget and Dilip, lived first at Mapperley and then Rise Park near Nottingham where cousins visited them often.

Eventually Dilip and Eileen Bridget were offered a relocation to Edmonton, Canada, and they moved, and daughter Abigail came along a few years later. Eileen Bridget enjoyed teaching, in particular her English as a Second Language students, as they appreciated her by writing and visiting her often many years after finishing their studies.

Eileen Bridget really loved her cats, and was particularly fond of Devon Rex, which created a passion to show cats, and she got the best cat, started travelling to other cities for shows, and had a wall full of ribbons, which she was extremely proud of.

The family travelled from Canada to India and then to Surrey, Canada and eventually Dilip and Eileen Bridget retired on Vancouver Island. Eileen Bridget called herself a retired teacher, however she really never stopped teaching from the neighbour across the street, to teaching at knitting groups, there was so much wisdom, art, culture, education,

kindness and love, that she shared with many around her. We are missing her, Om Shanti, and hope she finds Dilip, her family, and happiness with animals, gardens and beaches around her. God Bless her Soul.