Eileen Catherine Franke

June 6, 2019

Eileen Catherine Franke passed away at home in West Vancouver on June 6, 2019, a few weeks before her 90th birthday. She was born to August (Gus) and Catherine (Katie Currie) Franke on July 31, 1929, near Leipzig, Saskatchewan.

Eileen grew up on the farm and was educated by the School Sisters of Notre Dame at Leipzig Convent. After graduating high school there, she moved with her parents to Saskatoon, where she worked as a secretary and bookkeeper. From there she moved to Calgary and learned to operate bookkeeping machines before she found her career in broadcasting. She worked at CHCT-TV from 1956 to 1960, during which time she worked on the production of many shows and hosted a children’s show, “Junior Clubhouse.” In 1960, Eileen moved to Montreal where she worked at CFCF-TV as a Production Assistant. In 1964 she switched to radio and began her career at Radio Canada International. Eileen worked for RCI in Montreal and Toronto before transferring to Vancouver, where she worked as a producer until her retirement. Eileen was one of few women in those pioneering days of Canadian broadcasting and enjoyed it all thoroughly.

Eileen is predeceased by her parents, by brothers Ernie, Ivan and Gerry, and by niece Cindy and nephews Gary and Kevin. She is survived by her sister Phyllis in Calgary, by sisters-in-law Ina and Theresa, and by nieces and nephews Bev, Val, Terri, Rod, Sherry, Heather, Randy, Brenda, David, Greg, Brian, Kelly and Tracy.

Eileen would want to thank her friend Martha whose visits and help made it possible for Eileen to retain her independence until the end.

A service will be held Thursday, July 18 at 1pm at the Gardens of Gethsemani - Evangelist Chapel, 15694 32 Avenue, Surrey, B.C. V3Z 9V1.

You are invited to leave a personal message of condolence for the family.

Messages of Condolence

Elegant. Immaculate. Smart as a whip. What is there to say about Eileen who I was fortunate to meet in the early 70's when she arrived at the Hotel Vancouver offices of CBC Radio, to see my boss, Frank Stalley, Director of Radio. Frank knew Eileen from CBC Toronto. Eileen joined CBC Vancouver staff and gained respect for her broadcasting savvy, attention to detail and her work ethic. She collaborated with Vancouver freelancers helping them develop items for broadcast on Radio Canada International. Eileen had a lovely sense of humour. We joked that she, "was small, but powerful." Eileen enjoyed good food and a nice glass of wine. She was unique and I consider myself lucky to count her as a pal and confidante of over 40 years. She will be remembered with great fondness. Rest in peace, dear friend.

- Sarah (Sally) Bennett

I worked with Eileen for many years at the CBC while she was running the west coast RCI operation. It was always a pleasure to see an RCI booking with Eileen on my schedule regardless of the language or dialect we were recording and editing. She was always a class act. Informed, interesting and dedicated.

- Chris Cutress

I always had a special connection with my aunt Eileen. She graciously hosted me in her West Van apartment for 3 months when I first moved to Vancouver, for which I am very grateful. She had such style, and I will miss her.

- Brenda Marks

Eileen was a saint. I ADORED her. She taught me, a young 19 year old, how to do stories and edit magnetic tape (with razor blades!) at RCI in about 1984. Rest in Peace Eileen... I wll always remember you. Love, Dag xoxoxo

- Dag Spicer

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