Obituary of Eileen Gabebreal Rafuse

Rafuse, Eileen Gabebreal (nee Gates) – passed away peacefully on March 30, 2014, at Windsor Elms Village, Falmouth, NS. Born January 7, 1917, in New Ross, Eileen was the daughter of the late Percy Willard Gates and Eva Amanda (Hennigar) Gates. She is survived by daughters Valerie (Norman) Taylor and Linda (Reg) Horsman; grandchildren Andrew (Anne-Marie) Taylor, Becky (Joell) Gallant, Juillene (Shaun McAndrew) Taylor, Christopher (Abigail) Horsman, and Aaron (Sarah) Taylor; great-grandchildren Calem and Travis McAndrew and Nyomee Taylor; sisters Beulah Doherty and Dorothy MacKenzie, sister-in-law Edna Graham and many nieces and nephews. Eileen is predeceased by her loving husband, Raymond Wesley Rafuse; and siblings Frances Gates, Lettie Walker, Leitha Gates (in childhood), John Gates, Foster Gates, Pauline Smith, and Alberta Redden. Eileen graduated from the Victoria General Hospital as a Registered Nurse, a profession for which she was passionate and held in the highest regard. During her early nursing career, she worked at the VG Hospital and VON in Halifax, and the NS Sanitorium in Kentville. Prior to her retirement, she held the position of Day Supervisor at the EKM Hospital in Wolfville. While raising their two daughters, Eileen and Ray owned and operated a Red & White grocery store in New Minas for nine years. Through her deep abiding faith in loving God, Eileen had a heart for people. As a member of New Minas Baptist Church, she belonged to the Womens’ Missionary Society, taught Sunday School and was a leader of Explorers (CGIT). During her retirement years, she enjoyed fellowship with Friends in Retirement and her ladies’ Bible study/prayer group. A nature enthusiast and an avid walker, she logged over 10,000 Participaction Miles! Eileen also enjoyed traveling to Florida and Germany with Ray and later to Europe, at age 83, with sisters Alberta and Dorothy. Eileen thoroughly embraced her grand-mothering years nurturing special relationships with her grand/great-grandchildren. Each held a treasured place in her heart as she does in theirs. It is with deep love and honor for Gram that some are able to be her pallbearers. For the past six years, Eileen has been a cherished resident at the Windsor Elms Village (WEV). Daughters Valerie and Linda and their families are forever thankful for the tender loving care and gracious kindness given to Eileen by her WEV family. They gave Eileen “so much to be thankful for.” A celebration of Eileen’s life will be held on Thursday, April 3, 2014, at the New Minas Baptist Church with Rev. Deb Mosher, WEV Chaplain and Rev. Sterling Gosman officiating. Visitation will be from 10:30am – 12:00 noon, followed by a celebration service at 1:30pm. A reception will follow the service prior to internment at Elm Grove Cemetery, Steam Mill, at 4:00pm. If so desired, memorial donations may be made to the Chaplaincy Fund - Windsor Elms Village or a charity of choice; or in recognition of Eileen’s love of nature, floral tributes are appreciated.