A tribute to Eileen Portsmouth – (8-9-19258 – 26-9-2017)

Tony Venton

It was truly a sad day for the community of Estcourt when Eileen Portsmouth passed away recently in the presence of her beloved family. Eileen represented the good side of humanity.

She was a devout Christian and lived her life accordingly. I had the pleasure of sharing in some of the work that Eileen performed in the service of the local community.

Apart from the many years of support to the Anglican Church, her service to the Estcourt Hospice Association was legendary.

Estcourt Hospice was founded by Eileen on January 25, 1991 after receiving donations to the value of R100. By March 1991, the bank balance had grown to R686.

Due to the devotion of Eileen and other volunteers, Estcourt Hospice grew, over the next 25 years, into a fully accredited five-star hospice, serving the community in all areas of palliative care and an extensive outreach programme and operating out of their own premises.

I had the honour of serving Estcourt Hospice, alongside Eileen, from 1997. In many ways she was a mentor to me.
She remained principled, fiercely supportive and dedicated to the cause.

This cemented the ethos that still drives the organisation today. Estcourt is indebted to Eileen, and her late husband Cliff, for the vision and community welfare that they so dearly upheld.

They were a wonderful Christian couple and an example to all human beings. The world needs more people like Eileen and Cliff who are now reunited after a life of service above self.

Eileen was blessed with a loving family that has surrounded her with deserving love, and they can be truly proud of the legacy that she has left behind.

Rest proudly in peace Eileen. A memorial service will be held on October 27 at 2pm at the Anglican Church in Estcourt. Donations to Estcourt Hospice in lieu of flowers.

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