Eileen Florence Kowaluk

With family at her side, it is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of our much-loved wife, mother and grandmother Eileen Florence Kowaluk. Eileen passed away in the early hours of Saturday, November 22, 2025 at the age of 85. 

Eileen was born in Birtle, Manitoba on April 23,1940 to her loving parents, Kathleen (Shearman) Billaney, formerly of Belfast, Northern Ireland and Charles Billaney, formerly of Swanland, Yorkshire, England. She was baptized on June 30,1940 at the Birtle United Church, where she remained an active, lifelong member.

Sadly, at an early age, Eileen lost her beloved mother in 1954, and from that point, she grew up quickly. Shortly after she graduated from high school, Eileen married William (Bill) Kowaluk on a snowy October 31, 1959. Eileen and Bill recently celebrated their 66th wedding anniversary.

Eileen is survived by her beloved husband Bill. She is dearly missed by her son Russell Kowaluk (Marie McGahan), daughter Karen Pilling (Brad Pilling) and her three cherished grandchildren, Drew Kowaluk, Quinn Pilling and Colby Pilling. She is also survived by her sister-in-law Sophie Smith, 14 nieces and nephews and their families, many cousins and cherished friends.

Eileen was pre-deceased by her parents, Charles and Kathleen Billaney, brothers Sherman and Albert Billaney, parent-in-laws Peter and Lena Kowaluk, sisters-in-law Hazel Highfield, Mildred Billaney, Helen Kowaluk and Leona Kowaluk, brothers-in-law Mike Kowaluk, Archie Kowaluk and Matt Smith, nephews Kevin Billaney and Jack Morrison, niece Marjorie Billaney and great-niece Kelsey Billaney.

Eileen and Bill spent their first few years of married life in Shoal Lake, before moving to the family farm just north of Solsgirth, Manitoba. In the early 1990s, they sold the farm and purchased a beautiful, peaceful acreage in the Birdtail Valley, just west of Birtle. In 1995, they moved into their newly built home, where they happily stayed until 2023.

Eileen was a homemaker until Russell and Karen were settled in school. She worked many years at the Birtle Health Centre in the Sunnyside Manor Personal Care Home. During her working life and in retirement, Eileen was very active in the Birtle community. To name a few, she volunteered at the Birtle United Church, the Birtle Palliative Care Group, and the Birtle Value Shoppe. Eileen was a doting grandmother who was proud of her grandchildren. In her spare time, Eileen enjoyed knitting, puzzles and she always had a book or two on the go. Although she was humble, she was a great cook and baker, including Ukrainian staples, delicious desserts, and wonderful homemade meals.

In her later years, Eileen was Bill’s caregiver, as they both wanted to stay at their house as long as possible. Eileen experienced a debilitating brain aneurysm rupture in November 2023, and following a lengthy hospital stay, both Eileen and Bill were moved to a shared suite at the Morley House Personal Care Home in Shoal Lake.

Eileen will be remembered for her generosity and caregiving, for the joy and positivity which she carried through her life, and for her love of togetherness with family and friends.

The family extends their heartfelt gratitude to the staff at the Morley House Personal Care Home in Shoal Lake for the endearing care they provided Eileen since April 2024.  

In memoriam, donations to the Birtle Palliative Care Group or the Heart and Stroke Foundation are appreciated.