Obituary of M. Eileen Travis

The death of Dr. M. Eileen Travis (74) of 2865 Rothesay Rd., Rothesay, widow of Arthur J. Travis, occurred unexpectedly at her residence on Wednesday, December 21, 2005. Mrs. Travis was born in New Glasgow, N.S., a daughter of the late Louis and Cummane (Hallisey) Connolly. Eileen was a graduate of St. Francis Xavier and McGill Universities, and after a notable amateur showing in athletics in softball, tennis, and basketball, combined with an award-winning turn with the Nova Scotia Drama League, she turned her focus to literacy and made libraries her career. Her love of athletics and the arts, combined with the promotion of literacy would stay with her throughout her life. In 1960 she joined the Saint John Regional Library as head of the Children's Dept. By the end of her career as Regional Librarian in 1997 she had overseen the expansion of the library system in New Brunswick and the building of the new library at Market Square in Saint John. Throughout her career she championed the need for libraries in the community and promoted the spread of literacy. Her work was recognized by her peers in her appointment to the National Library Advisory Board in 1972 and her role as a Past President of both the New Brunswick and Atlantic Provinces Library Associations. Eileen often spoke about the importance of volunteerism. Over the years she served on her local school board, the board of the then Netherwood School for Girls, and served on the Executive of the Board of Governors for St. F.X. University. She received an Honorary Doctorate of Laws from St. Thomas University in 1976 and an Honorary Doctorate of Social Sciences from Universite de Moncton in 1988. Her interest in the arts led to her serving on the Board of Directors of the Saint John Arts Council and later as president of Opera New Brunswick 2000-2001. She combined her love of sports and the arts when she served as the Vice-President of Ceremonies for the 1985 Canada Summer Games in Saint John. She was proud to have been the first woman President of the Saint John Board of Trade in 1983 and willingly took on the task of improving the regional economy through her time with the N.B. Research and Productivity Council in the 1980's and the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency in the late 1980's and early 1990's. Among other memberships and pursuits, she was patron of Hestia House and a member of the Hammond River Angling Association. She was named the Paul Harris Fellow for the Rotary International Foundation in 1993, recipient of the Red Triangle Award in 1996, and recipient of the Queen's Jubilee Medal in 12003. Ill health prevented her from taking an active role in civic and provincial affairs over the past four years, but she was thrilled to be able to accept investiture into the Order of Canada last month. Her interest in her community and its people never wavered. She was a much loved mother and good friend - always willing to lend an ear, or open a door to those who sought her counsel. She was happiest in a room full of family and friends or silently casting a fly at an illusive salmon. She will be missed. She is survived by her daughter, Mary Travis and son-in-law David Dubois of Montreal; her son John Travis and daughter-in-law Carrie (Brittain) of Rothesay; her grandson Connolly A. J. Travis of Rothesay; her sisters-in-law, Rose Anne Connolly of Laguna, Ca., Anne Marie Travis of Rothesay, and Alleyne Murphy of Halifax; and several nieces, nephews, grandnieces, and grandnephews. Resting at Fitzpatrick's Funeral Home, 100 Waterloo St., with visiting on Monday from 7 to 9 and on Tuesday from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church, Rothesay, on Wednesday morning at ten o'clock. Interment will take place in St. Joseph's Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations to the Saint John Free Public Library or Opera New Brunswick would be appreciated.