Eileen Pritchard
OBITUARY
Eileen Patricia Pritchard (née Beckman), 73, of San Diego, California, died on September 20, 2026, in Portland, Oregon. She was born to Marion and Bernard Beckman in Los Angeles, CA. Eileen grew up in Los Angeles and Palm Springs before settling in San Diego for the majority of her life. Her last few years were spent in Portland, OR, close to her family.
Eileen was a beloved daughter, wonderful mother, and adored sister, aunt, and grandmother. She was an educator, volunteer, artist, music lover, and cherished friend. She lived her life with an open and vibrant spirit, creating instant connections with strangers wherever she went. This led her to form close-knit, enduring bonds with a large group of friends who filled her life with parties, laughter, and joy. She always held her friends dear to her heart, and she loved nothing more than celebrating life, both the big moments and small, along with her created community and family.
Eileen found immense joy in her career as a teacher. She spent most of her career in Chula Vista as a special education teacher before transitioning to second grade, which she taught until she retired in 2011. In retirement, she continued serving children as a volunteer with the Monarch School, a San Diego K-12 school dedicated to students impacted by homelessness. She was also an energetic and enthusiastic member of the “Charity Chicks,” a group of friends in San Diego who dedicated their time to volunteering for community causes.
Above all, her biggest passion was her family who she devoted her life to. She had unbounded love for her children Angela (Lance Abbrederis), Travis (Alida Cantor), and Seth (Lee Hepner), and the greatest moments of her life involved becoming a grandmother to her grandchildren Lily, Max, Kennedy, and Reagan. Eileen was preceded by her sister Donna Cunningham and survived by her sister Sharon Beckman and her many nieces, nephews, cousins, friends, neighbors, and colleagues. We will miss her very much.
“To love and be loved is the greatest joy on earth.”
A memorial celebration will be held in the coming months in San Diego, CA. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to Monarch School in her memory.