Eila was born on Dec. 27, 1931 in Lybster Township to Matti and Martta Ylatalo. Her family moved to McIntyre. She graduated from Hillcrest High School and Port Arthur Business College. After college she went to work as a bookkeeper for the Department of Lands and Forests.
Eila married Niilo on Jan. 26, 1952. After giving birth to her two children, she left the Dept. of Lands and Forests and became the bookkeeper for Six Mile Service which was owned and operated by her parents. She continued to reside on Dog Lake Road with her family until they moved to Current River. After that Eila and Niilo lived at their cottage on Hicks Lake, Court Street and most recently Hilldale Gardens Retirement Community.
Eila loved the Lord, her husband Niilo of 58 years and her family. She volunteered much of her time in many areas of the Lutheran Church, LWML, Telecare, Camp Aurora, Dawson Court Auxillary and the Lutheran Community Care Centre. She strived to improve the lives of others. She took many courses which helped her deal with difficult people and situations and gained the trust of those she touched. Eila had a great sense of humour and could make anyone smile with her laugh.
Together, Eila and Niilo spent nine winters in Arizona and travelled to Barbados, Florida, Mexico, Hawaii, Finland and British Columbia. He was the love of her life and she was his co-pilot.
Eila is survived by her loving husband Niilo; daughter Irene; son Mel and his wife Crystal; five grandsons Jari, Kai, Joshua, Mikko and Kari. She is also survived by her brother Eric and his family and numerous relatives in Canada and Finland. She was predeceased by her parents.
Funeral services for Eila Sipila will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Friday, Nov. 12, 2010 in Epiphany Lutheran Church (Dewe Avenue at Arundel) with the Rev. David Haberstock officiating.
Interment will follow in Sunset Memorial Gardens. Visitation for family and friends will be held on Thursday evening in the Everest Funeral Chapel, 299 Waverley Street at Algoma from 6 p.m. until 8 p.m..
If friends so desire, donations may be made to the Epiphany Lutheran Church Memorial Fund or a charity of your choice.
Please sign the online condolences at everestofthunderbay.com
