Remembering Eileen Schofield

POLOKWANE – The name Eileen Schofield (78) evokes feelings of love, acceptance, and loyalty in the hearts of everyone who knew her. Eileen passed away last Thursday (August 1), leaving behind a profound impact on countless lives and touching many hearts along the way.

Diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease in 2014, she faced mobility challenges in her later years. This, however, did not deter her from actively participating in gatherings such as Rotary Club functions and horticultural meetings with the Pietersburg Tuinbouklub.

Eileen wore many hats throughout her life.

She made history as the second female mayor of her town, served on numerous school governing bodies, and was the first female chairperson of both PEMPS and Capricorn High School.

Nic van Reede van Oudtshoorn, who worked with Eileen in the city council in the late 1980’s, described her as his most wonderful friend.

“How do you begin to, in a couple of minutes, say something of value to befit a woman like Eileen? It is a life worth celebrating, because hers was a life well lived. What is it about Eileen that made such an indelible and lasting impression on people? “There are many reasons.” Van Reede van Oudshoorn says, her political background, her role as mayor of Polokwane in 2000 and being a great friend.

“I was elected to the Pietersburg city council in 1988 with help from Eileen. She also played a significant role in the general election of 1989, and took up her seat in council with grace and dignity.

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As a mayor, van Reede van Oudtshoorn remembers, Eileen was dignified, unwavering, well-spoken and always considering. “As my friend and the friend of many, she touched lives. She was my most wonderful friend. I am grateful to be able to call her a friend, and she always made me like myself when I was in her company.”

Reflecting on her time in public service, Eileen once said, “I never intended to enter politics and I never served on the council for political reasons. The community is close to my heart. I cannot describe the feeling when I won the first election. The year I was mayor was an incredible year.”

During that same year, she and her husband, Jack, made the decision to build a guest house. Today, Victoria Place remains a thriving guest house, known for its beautifully maintained garden – a reflection of Eileen’s love for horticulture.

Eileen joined the Horticultural Club in 1975 and served as its chairperson for 20 years.

Her passion for gardening was evident in the meticulous care she gave to her own garden, a space where she poured her heart and soul. Another of her passions was reading; in 1977, she founded a book club that still thrives today. Eileen often hosted meetings for the Horticultural Club, and she frequently shared her extensive knowledge about plants as a guest speaker.

Her sister, Delmarie Zamperini, recalls how Eileen had a remarkable ability to organise everyone around her. Her love for people extended beyond her immediate family. Eileen and her mother spent eight years teaching cooking classes to domestic workers. After her mother’s passing from cancer, Eileen and Delmarie continued to honour her memory by hosting an annual Cancer Friendship Tea for 17 years, where they and their friends baked all the cakes for the event.

“She organised us the whole time. We learned a lot from her, like reading, partying, and living life to the fullest,” Delmarie fondly remembers.

A close friend of Eileen, Selma Muller, shared her memories, stating, “Eileen was a wonderful person. We have been friends for 65 years. Our parents were close friends, and we grew up together in the same town. As adults, we lived only a block apart, raising our children together.”

Selma described Eileen as not only beautiful on the outside but also on the inside. “She was gentle and soft-spoken, always laughing. Eileen had a large circle of friends and loved people deeply. She was very loved in return.”

She recalls how Eileen always invited her friends over and treated them to delicious cakes and tarts. “Even until the end, she invited me every week and told me to come and drink tea soon because she was baking a cake.”

Whenever Selma visited Eileen, they would walk through her beloved garden first. Selma also reminisced about Eileen’s sense of humour, saying, “Her mother, Aunt May, was like a second mother to me. I laugh when I think back now, how many times Eileen told people, ‘Do you know why we have been friends for so long? Because I always kept quiet.’ I am going to miss her terribly.”

Eileen is survived by her husband, Jack, her two sons, Dale and Marc, their wives, and three grandchildren.

Her memorial service was held yesterday at the Taberna Dei Mother Campus.