Eileen Dorothy (Cunningham) Hotchkiss

Mrs. Eileen Dorothy Cunningham Hotchkiss, age 98, passed away in Caldwell on 25 September 2026, with a roomful of loving family at her bedside.

Eileen was born in Bowden, Alberta, Canada, on February 15, 1928, in the farm home of her parents, John J. and Mabel Cunningham, arriving closely enough to Valentine’s Day to always make that her very special personal holiday filled cards, red roses, candy hearts, and love.

She joined the family as youngest among five other Cunningham children: Jim, Margaret, Jack, Dale, and Catherine. Eileen attended school through seventh grade in Bowden but moved to the United States just before the outbreak of World War II. She attended eighth grade in California, but began high school in Denton, Montana, a place where her parents had homesteaded before her birth. For some time, she lived in a tiny, primitive, country teacherage, alongside her older sister, Margaret, who was the teacher in one of the small Fergus County Schools.

Eileen graduated among a class of fifteen from Denton High School and then attended just one year of college at Montana State University before being offered her own teaching job in Danvers, Montana, where she led a class totaling eight students whose ages spanned six grades.

In the summer interim between college and teaching, Eileen met Jack Hotchkiss while visiting California. Jack quickly proved to be the love of her life, and they married in 1948, enjoying 61 years of marriage together until his death in 2009.

Eileen and Jack started married life in Los Angeles; moved to Denton, Montana; spent a short time in Hudson, Wyoming; tried life in Granada Hills, California; lived on a beautiful farm near Victor, Montana; relocated to Artesia, California — all those years adding to their growing family — until settling in Wilder, Idaho, in 1972.

Eileen and Jack were parents of twelve children: three girls and nine boys. Only little Bryce did not live to adulthood. The others all grew up, married, and had families of their own, leaving a growing legacy of grand, great-grand, and great-great-grandchildren numbering 43, 69, and 12+ respectively.

While Jack worked long hours away from home — for many years driving long-haul semi-trucks — Eileen ran the household. Along with just keeping the washer and dryer going 18 hours a day, pairing basketloads of socks, and schlepping home station-wagonfuls of groceries, Eileen directed activities that centered around the home and made epic memories during the holidays with homemade birthday cakes containing baked-in coins, Easter candy galore and plenty of hand-dyed real eggs for hunts every spring, and over-the-top Christmas get-togethers with pinatas and the real Santa Claus and mountains of presents — always emphasizing the deeper messages of love, the sanctity of life, the precious gift of Christ’s birth and His resurrection and promise of Heaven to come.

When the youngest children entered school, Eileen took on even more work, first at the catalog counter at Sears in Caldwell, then as mail carrier at Fruitland and Caldwell post offices. She made many friends through those connections, as well as through Our Lady of the Valley Church, where she worshipped.

Eileen loved her family, her home, her garden, her pets, visitors, reading, puzzles, and board and card games. Any subject that engaged those who shared those passions with her in conversation and correspondence became her paramount interests, too.

Eileen was preceded in death by all her siblings, but their surviving children — her nieces and nephews and their families — meant the world to her, as well as all of those on the Hotchkiss side. Jack and Eileen also claim the Kane family as a permanent part of their offspring. They include Cathy Gardner, Ann Marie Kane (deceased), Jerry Kane, Claire Maldonado, Jennifer Spadafora, Rita Vetere, and Laura Benton. Mick and Kim McGarvey also remain true members of the Hotchkiss clan with their love and support.

Her own children include Jacquie (Charlie) Rowen of Parma; Derry Hotchkiss (deceased); Dale Hotchkiss of Superior, Montana; Bryce Hotchkiss (deceased); Shane (Darlene) Hotchkiss of Parma; Glen Hotchkiss (deceased); JB (Terry) Hotchkiss of Caldwell; Bret Hotchkiss of Wilder; Bradley (Louise) Hotchkiss of Wilder; Eileen (Rod) Gochenour of Middleton; Lance Hotchkiss of Caldwell; and Heather (Greg) Byrd of Nampa.

We would all like to express our appreciation to the staff of Grace Assisted Living, Caldwell; and to Ancora Hospice. Tender care was provided to our mother by both agencies.

A viewing at Flahiff Funeral Chapel in Caldwell, will occur on Monday evening, October 5, 2026, from 5:00 to 8:00 p.m., with recitation of the Rosary at the same place beginning at 7:00 p.m. Funeral Mass will be celebrated at Our Lady of the Valley Catholic Church in Caldwell on Tuesday, October 6, 2026, at 10:00 a.m. with interment to follow at Fargo Cemetery in Wilder. A light luncheon will be served afterwards back at the church. Services are under the care of Flahiff Funeral Chapel, Caldwell. (208) 459-0833

A video biography was created at the time of her 90th birthday and can be accessed at https://youtu.be/suHWaN8aurA?si=1P5j3QYBOLoQ6D0u.