Eunice Ebba Ruth Vatcher (nee Thistle)

Eunice Ebba Ruth Vatcher (nee Thistle), age 90, passed away peacefully on December 14, 2022, surrounded by her family and friends. She was born on November 4th, 1932, in St. John’s, Newfoundland to Clarence William Thistle (Broad Cove) and Louise Thistle (nee Beck, Sound Island) and married her one love, Robert Douglas Vatcher, in May 1956. Together they had four beautiful children, Robert, Howard, Susan and Tamara. Eunice was predeceased by her husband Robert in 2017, and her beloved first born son Rob, in 2022.

Eunice was a registered nurse who completed her training at the Grace Hospital in 1954; she worked at the Sanatorium in St. John’s during the tuberculosis pandemic and later at the hospital in Labrador City. She loved music and was the church pianist at Carol United Church, and taught students in the evenings, instilling in them her love of music. She was a lifetime member of the United Church Women’s group and dedicated many hours to the Montague Hospital Auxiliary in PEI.

Family was very important to Eunice. She loved her children fiercely, encouraging them to strive for achievement and to push the limits. She believed that discipline, hard work and focus were the key tenets of living a good life. She was a caring, doting grandmother to her six grandchildren, and enjoyed visiting with her great grandchildren.

She had a strong forceful personality and met the challenges of life head on. Her presence will be missed by all who knew and loved her.

Eunice is survived by her brother Alex (Anna); her cousin Sadie; her son Howard (Laurie); her two daughters Susan (Frank) and Tamara; daughter-in-law Mavis; her grandchildren Moya (Ryan), Rebecca (Stephen), Warren, Kayte (Chris), Emily (Kaylee) and Alexander; and her 8 great grandchildren. The family would like to send a special thank you to Helen Bidgood for all the love and care she provided for Eunice over the last year.

Please join us in celebrating her life on Friday January 20, 2022, at Barrett’s funeral home, 328 Hamilton Avenue, St. John’s. Visitation will occur between 1-3 pm with service to follow from 3:30 – 4:30 pm. Tea and cookies will be served following the service.

The service will be live streamed for all those who wish to attend virtually. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Salvation Army or the Canadian Humane Society.