Eileen played flute and piano, but was also proficient on the piccolo, bassoon and saxophone.
Eileen was born in Liverpool in 1927. She worked and raised a family there for most of her life, only moving to live with her daughter and son-in-law in the Wye Valley when, at the age of 94, she became too frail to live on her own.
Eileen grew up with her father and mother (Fred and Elsie Naisby), alongside her brother (Eddie), in the Liverpool suburb of Wavertree. Fred was too young to enlist to serve in WW1 and so gave a false age to join up. He suffered artillery injuries at Passchendaele and learnt to play the flute as part of his recovery from hand injuries.
Fred taught both of his children the flute, and they each went on to teach and play professionally. Later, Eileen started her daughter Alison off on the instrument as well.
A mother, skilled typist and multi-instrumentalist
Eileen was proficient on the piccolo, bassoon and saxophone too. In the early part of her life, she played all these instruments in different bands, shows and orchestras across the Merseyside region. She was also a talented pianist who accompanied her flute students.
A skilled shorthand typist, Eileen began her working life as a medical secretary at the University Hospital. She met Robin Hurst and following their marriage in 1955, like most women of her generation, she gave up work. Robin was a professional violinist and teacher who later in his career held the position of Northwest Branch Secretary for the Musicians' Union.
Four children arrived in quick succession: Jonathan (1956), Nicholas (1957), Alison (1958) and Tin (Phillip, in 1959). Fortunately, Eileen and her husband lived with her auntie Alice, who loved and cared for the young family as her own. This allowed Eileen to start work again, becoming a respected peripatetic teacher of woodwind, working for Liverpool City Council, teaching across several primary and secondary schools in Merseyside.
During this time, Eileen also continued to play for choral societies, pantos and other performances (such as Gilbert and Sullivan shows) in New Brighton and St. Helens.
Despite retirement, she continued playing lead flute in bands until her late 80’s
Following her retirement, Eileen survived her husband and her three sons. She continued as an active musician, particularly looking forward to playing the bassoon on her annual Orchestral Summer School in Rydal in the Lake District, and the Liverpool University Orchestra. She also joined the Maghull, Red Rose and Heswall Concert Bands, playing both flute and piccolo.
She made many special friends amongst her fellow musicians, including Andy, Adrienne, Alan and Ken, and continued to enjoy playing lead flute in the bands until well into her late 80's.
Eileen passed away peacefully in 2024 at the home of her daughter, Alison, who cared for her in her final years. Eileen will be deeply missed by her family and friends who knew and loved her very much.
She leaves behind Alison, nine grandchildren (Robert, Louis, Parsifal, Clara, Becky, Alex, Billie, Max and Xal) and four great-grandchildren (Francis, Thomas, Arlo and Nina), with another little one due very soon!
Eileen originally joined the MU in the 1950’s. She then rejoined in 1965 and had been in continuous membership since.
This tribute has been provided by Eileen’s daughter, Alison.