RODGES: Eileen
Posted By On June 16, 2026 @ 12:00 AM In Goderich, Obituary | 5 Comments
Eileen Rodges slipped quietly into the loving arms of her Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, on June 16, 2026. Eileen was born Margarett Eileen Fitzgerald on February 28, 1928, at Rainham Centre near Dunnville ON. She came to know Jesus as her Saviour as a teenager, and she remained steadfast in that relationship throughout her life. Eileen attended McMaster University and graduated from Hamilton Normal School as an elementary school teacher. She was brilliant in school, skipping several grades, and studying Latin, calculus and physics. She accepted her first teaching position at Taylors Corners, near Goderich ON for the fall of 1947, where she taught for one year. The day she arrived she met Leonard Rodges, and one year later, on September 4, 1948, they were married. Together they worked their small dairy farm and raised nine children, teaching them practical life skills including cooking, sewing, gardening, farming, demonstrating faithfulness, dependability, and industriousness. She loved well, deeply and completely. She enjoyed her family, her children, their spouses, her grandchildren and great grandchildren. She loved to play games and if you managed to win, you knew it was a genuine win.
Eileen invested in her community through her involvement with the Women’s Institute and as a 4-H leader. Together she and Leonard were deeply committed to their faith community at the Goderich Free Methodist Church, and later at Huron Chapel Missionary Church in Auburn, ON. Her faith in Jesus was foundational to her life.
Eileen is predeceased by her husband Leonard and her daughter Marilyn Campbell, parents Hugh and Mary Margarett (Moore) Fitzgerald, as well as by all her siblings: Edward and Joyce Fitzgerald, Ben and Glenna Girling, William and Marion Shoup, Norma Fitzgerald and Leroy and Heidi Fitzgerald; her sister-in-law Dorothy and spouse William Ferguson.
Eileen leaves a lasting legacy of faith, love and perseverance for her surviving children, Gerald (Doris nee Stokes), Barbara, Dianne Baan (Dave), Janet Hamm (Charles), Debbie Newcomb (Roger), David (Debra nee Snider), Karen Burrell (Craig) and Colleen Hewgill (Brian) and son-in law James Campbell; her 28 grandchildren: Kim Battler (Brent), Rob Campbell (Angela), Jason Baan (Erin) Laurie Adrien (Pierre), Stephen Campbell (Krista), Charmaine Baan, Carol Bruinsma (John), Melissa Aube (Juice), Virginia Buttar (Jason), Christopher Hamm (Laura), Christine Cordle (Joseph), Kathleen Chambers (Timothy), Becky Newar (Chris), Sonya Miller(Brendan), Richard Hamm (Candice), Victoria McBride (Michael), Garrett Hamm (Autumn), Timothy Newcomb (Julie), Alicia Peper (Marcel), Mindy Betthauser (Brian), Jodi Newcomb, Anthony Newcomb(Alysha), Sadie Breg (Justin), Nicole Howell (Michael), Jocelyn McCallum (Joel), Cassidy Kowalski (Sebastian), Jennifer Burge (Samuel), Michelle Newcomb as well as 79 great grandchildren and 3 great, great grandchildren. She is also survived by her brother-in-law John and his spouse Della Rodges.
In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the Residents’ Council at Huronview Home for the Aged, Clinton ON or to Huron Chapel Missionary Church in Auburn ON.
Visitation will be held at Huron Chapel Missionary Church in Auburn ON, Friday July 3, 2026 from 12-1:30 pm followed by the Celebration of Life at 2 pm. Reception to follow at Gerald’s farm (36362 Huron Road, Goderich).
Condolences for the family of “RODGES: Eileen”
What a beautiful testimony, and how very precious to think of Eileen in the very Presence of the One she walked with for so many years and so many she loved. May the Lord wrap His Arms of Love and Peace around you all. Love you all, usplants<><
So sorry for your loss. I will always remember her sweet smile and gentle nature. Praying for you all as you remember her and her life well lived as a testimony to God’s faithfulness.
What a Legacy. It’s never easy to lose a mother. Thinking of your Dianne & Dave and all your family. There are many years of great memories for you to hold dear. Find Happiness for Eileen as she moves into her new home.
I’m so sorry for your loss, be encouraged you will see her again one day! My prayers are with family and friends in this very difficult time.
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I love and will miss you Auntie Eileen. You were a great and beautiful woman both inside and out. I still remember visiting you with Mom and Dad and Erica and Melissa. And when you ask the girls what kind of vegetables they wanted for dinner you had them go out to the garden and pick their own vegetables. First time they’d ever done that as the only vegetables they had ever had came out of a can from the grocery store.