With sadness, we announce the passing of our most beloved and courageous Mom, Grandma, and Great Grandma, Eilleen Nygaard on November 19, 2018, in Nelson, B.C at the age of 96.
Mom was born Vera Eileen Caswell on May 25, 1922 in Shaunavon, Saskatchewan to Ross and Donis Caswell and had so many happy memories of growing up on the family farm in Bracken, then becoming a teacher at the local Harrisland School.
In 1944, Mom married Milton Shuttleworth and in 1949 they moved to Rolling Hills, Alberta where they farmed and had 3 children before Milt passed away in 1952. Mom remained in Rolling Hills operating the local post office and in 1953 Mom married Carl Nygaard, they farmed in the area and had 4 children. In 1957 Mom and Dad packed up the kids and moved to the Castlegar/Robson area in BC where Dad worked at the local curling/skating rink and golf course and Mom ran a boarding house and raised our family. In 1963 they purchased a large acreage close to Nelson where they raised the kids, the cattle and the chickens. It was a wonderful place to grow up. When Dad retired from the West Kootenay Power, they moved to Balfour, then to Six Mile outside of Nelson where they lived until moving to Lakeview Village in Nelson in 2010. Dad passed away in January of 2011 but Mom remained in Lakeview Village until her passing.
Our Mom will always be remembered for her kindness, positive attitude and open arms to family and friends. The coffee pot was always on and a meal on the table whenever anyone would stop by. She was an avid reader, enjoyed a spirited political debate but most of all, loved having family and friends visit her. There was not a person that met Mom that didn’t love her instantly. Even though her cheerfulness, happy smile, and gentle touch will be so missed, they will always b in our memories.
Mom is survived by her seven loving children, Glen (Lorraine), Lana (Ken), Neil (Patt), Earl (Chris), Karla, Wanda (Neil), and Marvin, 21 grandchildren and 26 great grandchildren, her brother Ron (Eleanor) of Bracken and numerous nieces and nephews. Mom was predeceased by her parents, husband Milt, husband Carl, brother Robert, sister Eunice and son-in-law Charlie.
A special thanks from our family to Dr. Keith Bridger, Dr. Michael Vance, Dr. McKechnie, Andrew and staff at the Nelson Clinic Pharmacy and the staff at both Lakeview Village and Nelson Hospital for taking such good care of our Mom over the years.
A family memorial for Mom will be held at a later date. If so desired, a donation can be made to the Kootenay Lake Hospital Foundation in Mom’s memory.
Mom recently talked about having an “Exceptional” life. We had an “exceptional” mom.
