Eileen Roth

Roth, Eileen (Roth)-In the early hours of Saturday, April 3, 2021, the sewing machine fell silent and the final patch was stitched into place in the quilt of Eileen’s life. Eileen passed away peacefully at St. Mary’s Hospital following a stroke. She resided at The Village at University Gates Retirement Living, formerly of Luther Village and Wellesley. Eileen was 93 years of age. She was predeceased by David, her husband of 67 years, in July 2018. Eileen is survived by her children, Karen and Stewart Sauder and Ronald and Bonnie Roth. She is the much-loved grandma of Kaitlin and Josh Zubrickas, Kendra Sauder and partner Matt O’Neill and Kayla Roth, and great-grandma of Ellie, Benjamin, Evelyn and Jameson Zubrickas. Eileen was born on May 11, 1927 and raised on the Hastings Belmont farm in Crosshill, Ontario. She was one of 11 children born to Christian and Veronica Roth. Survived by her sisters, Erma Roth and Viola Wagler and brother-in-law, Leon (Ruth) Shantz, and David’s family Barbara (Nelson) Zehr and Dora Roth. Predeceased by her parents, Christian and Veronica (Boshart) Roth and siblings and in-laws Mary (Simeon) Jantzi, Sarah (Ohmer) Gerber, William (Cora) Roth, Annie (David) Jantzi, Mahlon (Mary) Roth, Samuel (Anna Mae) Roth, Laurene (Ivan) Nafziger, Omar Wagler and Ruth Shantz. Eileen finished her formal schooling at the age of 13 and quickly became a mother’s helper/hired girl to many families in the area. During these times, she taught herself how to sew. She began working at the Forsythe Shirt Factory and she also worked for Park Avenue Wear as a piecework sewer. She was employed at the Schneider’s Cheese Factory in Wellesley and for A.W. Jantzi Apple Products, cooking apple butter. When David retired, they joined forces and began making deliveries for A.W. Jantzi – David doing the driving while Eileen did the navigating. Eileen was a sought-after seamstress in the village of Wellesley. She made numerous panels of draperies and altered all types of clothing from her sewing machine located in the kitchen of her home. She planted and harvested a large garden each year. Her flower beds, both at her home and at the Chesley Lake cottage were colourful and dutifully tended to. Eileen and David enjoyed their cottage at Chesley Lake, especially their time on the golf course. Eileen was a faithful member of Crosshill Mennonite Church where she enjoyed creating comforter tops for the Crosshill Mennonite Sewing Circle, often piecing dozens of tops each year. Eileen finished her last comforter, piecing and knotting, in January of this year. Friends and family are invited to visit at the FUTHER-FRANKLIN FUNERAL HOME, 1172 Henry Street, Wellesley on Wednesday from 2-4 & 6-8 p.m. Due to Covid restrictions, all visitors must call the funeral home at 519-656-2880 to reserve a visitation time. Please remain in your vehicle until your appointed time and masks must be worn in the funeral home. A private family interment will take place with her husband David at Rushes Cemetery, Hutchison Road, Crosshill on Thursday, April 8, 2021 followed by a private family, Celebration of Eileen’s Life, at Crosshill Mennonite Church, 2537 Hutchison Road, Crosshill. Pastor Julie Ellison-White officiating. In celebration and memory of Eileen, donations may be made to Mennonite Central Committee “A Chance to Sew” (Cambodia Education) or Crosshill Mennonite Sewing Circle. Eileen’s family is so grateful for all the amazing people who have been part of her life these past few years. Thanks to Dr. Brian Finn and colleagues for Eileen’s ongoing health care. Thank you to her neighbours and friends at Luther Village. She valued your friendship. Thank you to her new community at The Village at University Gates Retirement Living. You quickly became “family” to her and she appreciated you all so very much. A very special thank you to an amazing team of doctors, nurses, palliative doctors, palliative care coordinators and social workers on the 6th floor at St. Mary’s General Hospital. You are the personification of kindness, caring and compassion. We will forever be grateful to all of you for walking with us on Mom’s final journey. www.futher-franklinfuneralhome.com The funeral service will be recorded and the video link will be posted here following the funeral service. You may follow the link below to donate to the Mennonite Central Committee. www.mcccanada.ca You may donate to Crosshill Mennonite Church by contacting the funeral home at 519-656-2880

Eileen Roth

May 11, 1927 - April 3, 2021