Eileen was born in Los Angeles, California on December 31, 1935. She was a New Year’s Eve baby, and welcomed each New Year right from the start.

Her parents were George and Florence Willingham, who welcomed their new baby daughter with love and excitement. Eileen’s Father, George, was a fireman, as was his father before him. Eileen’s Mother, Florence Hilton, was a warm and loving housewife.

Eileen grew up in a household that thrived on company and chaos, their home and dinner table often filled to the max with family and friends.

When, six years later, Eileen’s baby sister, Judith Lynn, was born, she was beside herself with excitement. Though there was a significant age difference between them, they always loved each other and remained close. Judy and her husband Irl, live in California with their many children and grandchildren.

For the most part, Eileen enjoyed her school years, she was a good student and especially thrived when playing sports like volleyball with her best friend, Yvonne Campbell. Eileen loved to draw and was a very talented artist, and she also played the Cello! Offered a small scholarship nearing her high school graduation she ended up turning it down due to the extra financial burdens that would have affected her parents. Instead, she went to work.

When she was barely 15 years old she met the young man that would eventually become her husband. Eileen often went roller skating with friends.

One day a young and bold Phillip Cantrell swooped up behind her and put his arm around her while she was skating. At 16 years old, he was just a few months older than Eileen. Phil was tall and skinny and talked very, very fast, a mile a minute, she said. It took about three more dates before she finally learned his last name, as she ultimately had to make him spell it!

But from the moment they met, that was it, for both of them. Once Phil got a car, they spent most of their weekends at the drive-in, taking Eileen’s little out of the snack bar multiple times, much of Phil’s paycheck was usually gone by the time his next payday came around!

Eileen and Phil were married on January 8, 1954. Eileen had just turned 18 the week before. Phil was 19. They were married for approximately 54 years until Phil went home to be with the Lord in 2008.

About a year after their marriage, Wanda, their baby girl was born. I was a special blessing and surprise because Eileen had been told by doctors that she would probably never be able to conceive.

Mom and I were always very close and shared so many good times together. Our Mother/Daughter bond and love for one another was strong and unshakeable and full of blessings. We always shared a great love of animals, especially dogs and cats. Happy times, things like strolling the beaches and looking for seashells, reading and trading different books, eating a simple lunch together, watching soap operas in the afternoon and laughing at some of the characters, going to movies, taking drives and exploring different neighborhoods, we did many, many things together even when Mom was working. Mom worked outside the home for much of her life.

Eventually Eileen went to work for the Los Angeles Fire Department, and then, much later, for the County of Orange, California. Eileen was an excellent secretary, calm and very dedicated. When she finally retired, she was working for the Board of Supervisors as well as the Clerk of the Board.

Most of all, Eileen was a happy and positive person. She loved people, she loved having family and friends over, cooking, laughing, having a good time, and sharing her life with her many loved ones.

Once in Colorado, and especially after Phil’s passing, she began attending a Woman’s Bible Study at Faith Baptist Church (now Encompass). She also joined a fun group of people dedicated to the preservation of a local schoolhouse that is well over one hundred years old!

Eileen made many new friends at both the church as well as the schoolhouse, which she thoroughly enjoyed. She loved each and every one of them with a delighted and grateful heart. She and Margaret Nelson became especially close, like sisters, as well as her friendship with Ellen Kaihara. She was bereft when both of them passed within perhaps a year or two of one another.

Once her own health began to deteriorate Eileen was especially grateful to have friends like Mary Hartman and Mary Powell. Mary Hartman would often go out of her way to pick up and take Eileen with her to different meetings and events. She was still able to enjoy the love of her friends and their fellowship.

When Eileen became bedridden, Mary Hartman would often visit and check in on her. Mary Powell made sure to keep Eileen’s Bible Study people up to date on her prayer needs and such, and made sure to keep Eileen informed by sending her regular newsletters. Eileen just loved all of her precious and many friends, and was so grateful to have known each one of them.

Eileen turned 90 years old on December 31, 2025. She was more than ready to join her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ when she passed just three months later. Her deepest desire was that each one of her many friends as well as all of her extended family members would come to know the Lord personally, as she did. The Lord reigns!