Eileen was born on Oct. 12, 1923, in London, England, to James and Kathleen (Raynor) Lucas. She was a devoted daughter, moving whenever her mother felt the urge, eventually settling back in London in 1933 where they welcomed the birth of Eileen’s sister Jean.
Eileen attended Edmonton County School, but with the start of World War II and their evacuation from London, finished high school in Obon, Scotland. Her mother, a very independent woman, decided she’d rather return home and brought the family back to London. There, Eileen attended Pitman Business School where she excelled and graduated after only a year, landing her a position at the London War Office of Information. She proved herself and became a secretary to Lord Lyle in the censorship department and eventually became the secretary to Admiral George P. Thompson, Chief Press Censor.
In 1944, a few days before D-Day, while on holiday in Bournemouth, England, with her family and a friend, Eileen met an American soldier by the name of Robert Paul Andrews (“Bob” as she would refer to him). There was an instant attraction but after a few dates in Bournemouth, Bob had to return to the European front in Cherboug, France. They exchanged letters and in 1945 met on the Ilse of Wight, traveled to London, and bought an engagement ring.
On May 4, 1946, at the age of 22, Eileen left her family and friends to follow her heart and flew to New York City to be with Bob. Two days later, on May 6, Bob and Eileen married at New York City Hall.
The couple drove to Maine after marrying and moved to a house that Bob purchased in South Portland. On May 4, 1947, they welcomed their first daughter, Gayle and on March 23, 1951, Kathleen was born. The family made the rest of their lives on Locke Street in Saco in a home that Bob built in 1949.
In 1968, Bob began operating the Texaco Station in South Portland and then the Mobile Station by the Maine Mall, always with Eileen by his side as secretary and bookkeeper. In 1985, the couple retired and was able to spend their time together traveling, boating on Sebago Lake, and enjoying their family. Eileen was a soft spoken, kind-hearted woman who loved a good cup of coffee, talking on the phone, drives in the car to see the beauty of Maine and walks with her husband. Together, Bob and Eileen enjoyed all life had to offer — separated only by death when Bob passed away in 2013.
Eileen is survived by: her devoted sister, Jean Tumbridge and her husband, James of London, England, along with two daughters, Gayle and her husband, Mark Willett of Saco and Kathleen and her husband, George Belcher of Westbrook; four grandchildren, Douglas Willett, his wife, Pamela and their daughter, Kiley, Sarah Willett Garriepy, her husband, Denis and their daughters, Makena and Hana, Ryan Belcher, his wife, Melissa and their children, Ervena and Charles, and Michael Belcher and his husband, Andrew; one brother-in-law, Donald Andrews and his wife, Lucille; and several nieces and nephews, all of whom she cared for deeply.
Visiting hours will be held on Friday, Aug. 11 from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m., followed by a funeral service at 11:30 a.m. at Cote Funeral Home Chapel, 87 James St., Saco, ME. Burial will follow in Laurel Hill Cemetery in Saco.
Should friends desire, memorial donations may be made in Eileen’s name to: Salvation Army, ATTN: Social Services, 2 Sixth St., Old Orchard Beach, Maine 04064.
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