Obituary of Eva Maud Steele

Eva Maud Steele of Saint John, wife of the late John Harold Steele, passed away peacefully on Thursday, July 25, 2013 at Rocmaura Nursing Home. Born in Ennis, County Clare, Ireland on January 24, 1915, she was a daughter of the late James Bernard and Violet (Capon) Lynch. Eva immigrated to Canada in November 1946 as a war bride, and was active in the Saint John Chapter of the Provincial War Brides Association. She worked as a Licensed Practical Nurse at St, Joseph’s Hospital and the Saint John General Hospital, and was a proud and active founding member of both the Saint John Branch and the Provincial Branch of the Irish Canadian Cultural Association of New Brunswick, serving on the Executive. She received a National Achievement Award for her dedicated service to Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann, and looked forward to assuming the role of Queen Aoife- "Queen of the Irish", and enjoyed interacting with the young children during the annual St. Patrick’s Week celebrations. She was also a member of the Saint John Multicultural Association, and at age 82, Eva joined ACTRA and made her film debut in "When Irish Eyes are Crying", which was filmed in Saint John. Eva was a parishioner of St. Pius X Church, where she was active in the Catholic Women’s League. A woman of many talents, Eva loved to dance, and was well known for her recitation of "The Ode to Dr. Collins" at Irish Cultural events. Eva is survived by a daughter, Joyce O’Hanlon (Dave) of Australia; a son, Robert Steele (Nicole) of Fredericton; grandchildren Michelle Steele Worsley (Darryl), Deirdre Quinn (Joseph), Jason Steele (Stacey Harrison), and James O’Hanlon (Claudia); great grandchildren Callum and Bailey O’Hanlon, Declan and Amara Quinn, and Sophia Worsley; a brother, William Lynch of Malin, Ireland; sisters-in-law Kathleen Holland of Saint John and Eleanor Steele of Miramichi; and several nieces and nephews. Eva was predeceased by brothers Frank, George, Algee, and Ernie. The family would like to thank the staff of Rocmaura Nursing Home for the compassionate care provided during her stay. A special thank you to Eva’s closest of friends, Stuart and Helena Hook and family, who embraced her as a family member. We would also like to acknowledge the kindness and support of close personal friends and neighbours, the Fennell family, and Patty Cormier, particularly. Resting at Brenan's Funeral Home, 111 Paradise Row, Saint John (634-7424), with visiting on Friday, August 2, 2013 from 2-4 and 7-9 PM. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Saturday, August 3, 2013 at 1:00 PM from St. Pius X Church, 316 Somerset Street. Interment will take place in St. Joseph's Cemetery. For those who wish, remembrances to a local food bank or Rocmaura Foundation would be appreciated by the family, in lieu of flowers.