EILEEN MARY BRANDHUBER WATKINS HOEFT
May 2, 1925 ~ December 10, 2016
Eileen Hoeft went to be with our Lord on December 10, 2016. She was born on May 2, 1925 in Toledo, OH, the youngest of three children of Fred and Lucy Brandhuber.
She graduated from Scott High School in 1943 and Saint Vincent's School of Nursing in 1946, both in Toledo. She obtained her Masters degree in Nursing Education from Saint Louis University in 1950.
While in St. Louis, she met the love of her life, Charles W. "Bill" Watkins, a medical student, on a blind date. They were married on December 27, 1950.
Eileen and Bill lived in St. Louis, MO, Spokane, WA, Red Lodge MT, Rochester MN (where Eileen was the Director of Nursing for St Mary's Hospital-Mayo Clinic at age 30) and finally Vancouver, WA in 1958.
Eileen taught prenatal care for over 40 years to three generations of expectant parents at Clark College, Vancouver Memorial Hospital and Southwest Washington Medical Center (now Peace Health). She retired from teaching at age 82. She was active in the women's auxiliary at Vancouver Memorial Hospital, prolife activities and the Catholic Church. She was an avid card player and was involved in several bridge clubs.
Her husband, Dr. Bill Watkins died in 1980. She re- married in 1982 to Elmer Hoeft until he passed in 1996. She was also preceded in death by her siblings Ruth and Charles; and daughter Susan. She is survived by her children Mary, Bill (Grace), John (Lyssa), Andy (Donna) and Jane Warner (Steve); 9 grandchildren; 8 greatgrandchildren. The family deeply thanks Emily and all the caregivers at Eden Place for their love and care for our mom over the last six years and especially at the end of her life.
Funeral Mass will be held at Holy Redeemer Catholic Church 17010 NE 9th St, Vancouver on Friday January 13, 2017 at 11:00 a.m. Burial will be at Willamette National Cemetery, Portland.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be designated to The Family Birth Center, Peace Health Southwest foundation, PO Box 1600, Vancouver, WA 98668 or 360-514-3106.
Please sign her guestbook at www.columbian.com/obits
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
2 Entries
Dear Eileen,
At last you're with our blessed Lord, whom you honored with your love and devotion all your life. May your dear soul rest in peace. Love and prayers.
Carole Brown
January 16, 2017
Sending condolences to Eileen's family and friends. She was a wonderful neighbor for many many years in Fairway Village.
Wendy Scott
January 14, 2017
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