Obituary for Eleanor Stevens
Eleanor was born in Saint John, New Brunswick to Marguerite and Norman Ward. Eleanor was a loving and cherished wife, sister, mother, aunt, grandmother and great grandmother. She was predeceased by her husband Gar in 1972, sister Norma in 2014 and great grandson Sana’a in 2014.
How does one do justice in describing such a rich and well lived life? Eleanor was adventurous. She loved to camp with family, creating memorable meals on her coleman stove whether it was travelling out west and up north, or to her beloved Maritimes. Although she resided most of her adult life in Ontario she often said she could feel ‘the pull of the tide’. She could be found deep sea diving in Barbados, and canoeing and hiking in Algonquin Park. Eleanor loved to travel – by ship, ferry, plane, train or car, and savoured new experiences.
An avid outdoors person, Eleanor loved varied activities such as family picnics in all seasons, cross country skiing, bird watching, berry picking, gardening, canoeing and nature walks. She often said the great outdoors was God’s cathedral.
Knitting, sewing, needle point, rug hooking, refinishing furniture, cooking, baking and making preserves were but a few of Eleanor’s accomplishments. She was the ultimate hostess, remembered for her manners and elegance. She was an avid reader and had a thirst for knowledge which fed her inquisitive mind. Three generations of her family have benefited from her mentoring and teachings in these areas. Eleanor was always thrilled when a family member called to request one of her coveted family recipes.
Of Irish heritage, of which she was proud, Eleanor was dubbed the ‘Irish princess’ by her husband and like any Irish person enjoyed a good joke. She loved to laugh and engage in playful banter. She will be remembered for her dry sense of humour and witticisms.
Music was integral in Eleanor’s life - singing around a fire, in church, on road trips and more recently through FaceTime with family, or ‘tickling the ivories’ at home. She was a fan of Leonard Cohen enjoying his music up to and including her final days.
A follower of the monarchy Eleanor was proud to have dined with the Queen , and humbled to have fed the homeless, always remembering compassion and service to others.
Eleanor relied strongly on her Christian faith, and it was of great importance to her to live a life by example for her family. She was involved in her church and over the years was a church secretary, a member of the ACW, Chancel Guild, ‘crafty ladies’, bible study groups and church activities such as the fall fair, Christmas Bazaars and church suppers.
Above all, Eleanor’s main focus and joy in life was her family. She thrived on time spent with family, phone calls, Facetime visits, and letters. She loved receiving hand written letters and notes, photos of family, and drawings and hand crafted creations from her grandchildren and great grandchildren. She drew much comfort and smiles from her grand dog and ‘little friend’ Gus. When asked for one word to describe what a person needs to live an honourable life, Eleanor’s reply was ‘integrity’. Eleanor was the epitomy of integrity and fostered this philosophy with her family.
Her strong faith, laughter and dry sense of humour, passion for learning, love of adventure, compassion for others , love of family, a life of integrity and a healthy zest for life will be remembered by us all. Be with Angels now Eleanor and know you are in our hearts and loved forever.
“Thanks for the day Comrade’.
How does one do justice in describing such a rich and well lived life? Eleanor was adventurous. She loved to camp with family, creating memorable meals on her coleman stove whether it was travelling out west and up north, or to her beloved Maritimes. Although she resided most of her adult life in Ontario she often said she could feel ‘the pull of the tide’. She could be found deep sea diving in Barbados, and canoeing and hiking in Algonquin Park. Eleanor loved to travel – by ship, ferry, plane, train or car, and savoured new experiences.
An avid outdoors person, Eleanor loved varied activities such as family picnics in all seasons, cross country skiing, bird watching, berry picking, gardening, canoeing and nature walks. She often said the great outdoors was God’s cathedral.
Knitting, sewing, needle point, rug hooking, refinishing furniture, cooking, baking and making preserves were but a few of Eleanor’s accomplishments. She was the ultimate hostess, remembered for her manners and elegance. She was an avid reader and had a thirst for knowledge which fed her inquisitive mind. Three generations of her family have benefited from her mentoring and teachings in these areas. Eleanor was always thrilled when a family member called to request one of her coveted family recipes.
Of Irish heritage, of which she was proud, Eleanor was dubbed the ‘Irish princess’ by her husband and like any Irish person enjoyed a good joke. She loved to laugh and engage in playful banter. She will be remembered for her dry sense of humour and witticisms.
Music was integral in Eleanor’s life - singing around a fire, in church, on road trips and more recently through FaceTime with family, or ‘tickling the ivories’ at home. She was a fan of Leonard Cohen enjoying his music up to and including her final days.
A follower of the monarchy Eleanor was proud to have dined with the Queen , and humbled to have fed the homeless, always remembering compassion and service to others.
Eleanor relied strongly on her Christian faith, and it was of great importance to her to live a life by example for her family. She was involved in her church and over the years was a church secretary, a member of the ACW, Chancel Guild, ‘crafty ladies’, bible study groups and church activities such as the fall fair, Christmas Bazaars and church suppers.
Above all, Eleanor’s main focus and joy in life was her family. She thrived on time spent with family, phone calls, Facetime visits, and letters. She loved receiving hand written letters and notes, photos of family, and drawings and hand crafted creations from her grandchildren and great grandchildren. She drew much comfort and smiles from her grand dog and ‘little friend’ Gus. When asked for one word to describe what a person needs to live an honourable life, Eleanor’s reply was ‘integrity’. Eleanor was the epitomy of integrity and fostered this philosophy with her family.
Her strong faith, laughter and dry sense of humour, passion for learning, love of adventure, compassion for others , love of family, a life of integrity and a healthy zest for life will be remembered by us all. Be with Angels now Eleanor and know you are in our hearts and loved forever.
“Thanks for the day Comrade’.