Ida Eileen Scanlon

October 15, 1921 - April 28, 2022

CARLSBAD — Longtime Carlsbad resident, Eileen Scanlon, passed peacefully on April 28, 2022. During her 100+ years, she assumed many vital roles including protective sister to younger siblings Lena,

Emma, and Olga, devoted wife to James Scanlon, attentive mother to Catherine and Jim JR.

Born to immigrant parents in Superior Wyoming, at 12 her family moved to a small farm in Ogden, Utah. Years spent planting and hoeing beets, pitching hay, and milking cows, motivated her to go to college, and later to San Francisco to complete her R.N. degree. There she met James Scanlon on a blind date, married him, moved to Diego, and later to her beloved Carlsbad. Eileen knew her progress from farm laborer to health professional had only been possible through education. When her children were nearing high school, she returned to USD and graduated at 50 with a BS degree. After graduation, she worked as a school nurse for the Oceanside School District. Even in retirement, she remained devoted to learning. She filled her home with books, enrolled in literature classes, traveled, and admonished her children, nieces, nephews and grandchildren to pursue their educations.

She is survived by her children, Catherine and Jim, daughter-in-law Susan Scanlon, son-in-law Ovie Cowles, three terrific grandsons Ryan, Michael and Kevin, one awesome step-granddaughter Heather, her beloved sister Olga, and many cherished nieces and nephews.

A celebration of life is planned for Thursday, June 16, 2022; 11a.m. at Saint Patrick’s, Catholic Church, 3821 Adams Street, Carlsbad 92008.