Eileen L. Aitchison

Eileen Lucille Aitchison – Maiden name Brown, age 89, of Irvine, California passed peacefully away at her home on Tuesday, February 27, 2024. Eileen was born on January 18^th, 1935, in Great Falls, Montana as an only child to Lynn Astrid and Robert James Brown. She grew up in Billings, Montana where she graduated from Billings Senior High School in 1952 and then attended the University of Missoula. Eileen was a huge fan of Grizzly football and was so proud of their program. Eileen was also immensely proud that she was chosen as one of five Cherry Blossom Princesses (1953) to ride on the float in Washington DC for the Cherry Blossom Festival.

Eileen married Don Aitchison in college and moved to Annapolis, Maryland where Don graduated from The Navel Academy in 1956. They moved to California for Don’s work, had four children, and were married for 30 years. 

Eileen loved her garden and loved to travel to Montana. She was the type of person who never really met a stranger, everyone loved to speak with her and an all-around positive, fun and loving person. Eileen moved to Laguna Beach, California in 1967 and then to Irvine in 1977. More than anything else, Eileen was a devoted and beloved mother, grandmother, community volunteer, and friend who loved to entertain.

Family and friends will forever treasure the countless memories of Eileen’s laughter and love which were a pillar of strength, offering support and understanding to those in need. She will be deeply missed by all whose lives were enriched by her presence.

Eileen is survived by her four children and grandchildren which were the love of her life:  Sandy (Rich) Nunis, Curtis (Jackie) Aitchison, Mark Aitchison, Bryan Aitchison and Eileen’s grandchildren, Courtney (Nathan) Wing, Lauren Smith, Vaughn (Joleen) Aitchison, Paul (Vanessa) Aitchison and several great grandchildren.

Funeral services will be held in Missoula, Montana where Eileen will re-join her parents, grandparents, uncles, and aunts in the Missoula City Cemetery. The viewing will be held March 16^th, 2024, at the Garden City Funeral Home, 1705 West Broadway Street, from 1:30-2:15pm Saturday and the burial will be held at 2:30 pm Saturday at Missoula City Cemetery. 

If desired, friends may make memorial contributions to the Montana Make-A-Wish Foundation or the Montana Wounded Warrior Foundation in her honor.