Obituary of Eunice Eileen Gore-Hickman

May 6, 1931 to October 8, 2023

It is with profound sadness that the family of Eunice Gore-Hickman (Ferguson) announces her passing on Oct. 8 at the age of 92. Eunie was a loving wife, a caring mother, a doting grandmother and a special great grandmother.

Eunie was predeceased by her loving husband Des, her daughter Karen (Diamond) and her nine siblings. Eunie was the youngest of the 10 children. She had a special bond with her sister Inez, and brothers Cecil, Don and Ken.

Ken held a special place in her heart. He was killed in The Netherlands as the Second World War ended. In his honour, a bridge in The Netherlands bears his name. One of Eunie’s proudest moments was attending the commemoration ceremony for the bridge in 2004. A salt and pepper shaker Ken gave his little sister will follow her to her resting place.

Eunie leaves to mourn her son Rick (Wendy), her daughter Sandy (Cam) Hutchinson, and grandchildren Brett (Leah), Kurt (Robyn), Michael (Amanda) and Sean Gore-Hickman, and Ryan, Brandon (Stephanie), Jay (Mikhea) Hutchinson, and Josh and Noah Diamond. Eunie is also survived by great grandchildren Adelyn, Mia, Parker, Zoey,  Brooks, Hailey, Finley and Thomas.

In their younger years, her grandsons always knew where to find the container full of peanut butter cookies. She loved to cook, bake, crochet and was a great bridge player. Her holiday family dinners were always special. Her pies and pastries were the envy of all.

Eunie was born on May 6, 1931 in Lanark, Ontario. She was planning to go to university, but instead attended secretarial school. Not long after, the federal government came calling.

She became the Secretary to the Director of Security and Intelligence RCMP in Ottawa. As the RCMP was all male at the time, she also did intelligence work when a female was required. She had the highest clearance in the country when she was just a teenager. This department later became known as CSIS.

She met Des while he was stationed in Ottawa, and her life changed. As Des was an RCMP officer, they moved often. Their three children all were born in Victoria, followed by moves to Winnipeg, Edmonton, Ottawa and Regina during his years with the RCMP.  They moved to Saskatoon in 1973, when Des took a federal government job following retirement from the force.

As the moves would allow, Eunie would work part-time while raising her children. Her skills as a secretary were always in demand. As an empty-nester, Eunie joined the office of Labour Canada as the administration assistant until her retirement. 

Upon retirement, she and Des travelled extensively. Eunie had a vast collection of spoons that she collected at every port of call.

She made life-long friends in every location. In Saskatoon, they included those in her neighbourhood, and those at the Saskatoon Shrine Club.

Eunie will be missed forever by her family and all those who knew and loved her.

The family would like to thank Dr. Mick Jutras, Dr. Kathleen Wingert, the staff at Village Rose Health Care, special caregiver Nichole Stewart, Marlene Sanders and her staff at the Hyde Park Personal Care Home, and the staff in Emergency and on the 7^th Floor (Medicine) at St. Paul’s Hospital for their loving care. You are wonderful people.

A private memorial to celebrate Eunie’s life will be held at a later date. Memorial donations may be made to the Alzheimer Society of Saskatchewan.