Eva Aileen Gourley

Eva (Eve) Aileen Gourley, 92, a long-time resident of Hot Springs Village, Ark., passed away peacefully in her sleep with her daughter by her side this morning in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. Eve was born Aug. 19, 1924 to the late Emil and Anne Gire of Edinburgh, N.D. Two years later the young family moved to San Jose, Calif. After high school, she attended San Jose State University, then enrolled in Providence School of Nursing in Oakland, graduating three years later. She was commissioned as a Navy Nurse into active service in the Spring of 1947 and assigned to the US Naval Hospital in Long Beach, Calif. It was there that she met a young fighter pilot who already had distinguished himself in WW II and had come to the hospital to visit a fellow Marine. In subsequent visits--probably more than his friend’s condition warranted--he spent more time talking with her than him. They fell in love and were married in late October 1948. Eve’s life as the wife of a career Marine was busy, joyous, and adventurous! The couple was blessed with three children—two sons and a daughter. The tight-knit family moved wherever duty called, living in various towns on the east and west coasts, as well as being stationed in Hawaii and Germany. In 1978 they retired to Hot Springs Village, where they both enjoyed playing golf and continued life-long involvement in volunteer & service projects. They loved life and rejoiced in the arrival of grandchildren while living in Hot Springs. Two decades later, Eve’s beloved husband of 50 years, Major General Norman W. Gourley (Retired – United States Marine Corps.) passed away. Eve retired from her volunteer work at St. Joseph’s Hospital several years ago, and has remained a member of the Hot Springs Village P.E.O. Chapter CR and Holy Trinity Episcopal Church until her most recent move to Oklahoma City to be near her daughter. She will be remembered for her uncommon strength of character and purpose, her gentility and compassion and, perhaps most of all, for her enormous capacity for love, joy, and grace. Eve is survived by her daughter Anne Berky and husband Andy of Edmond, Okla., two sons: Norman Gourley, Jr. and wife Roxanne of Greenville, S.C., and Douglas Gourley and his wife Lisa of Independence, Mo., along with seven grandchildren and five great-grandchildren. A Memorial Service and graveside service will be held at Arlington National Cemetery in Washington DC, where Eve will be interred with her late husband. To send flowers or a memorial gift to the family of Eva Aileen Gourley please visit our Sympathy Store.