ELEANOR ANITA WALTERSON

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ELEANOR ANITA WALTERSON On Friday, September 6, 2013, Eleanor Walterson passed away at Seven Oaks General Hospital at 80 years of age. She was predeceased by her mother, Anita (Nellie) Oakley and father, Hudson Oakley, brother Clifford Oakley, and grandson Jason. She is survived by sons, Les (Lois), Gerry (Colleen), daughter Kimberley (Ray), grand-children Trever, Ryan, Janie (Gerry), Darrell and Krista (Kimberley), sister-in-law Eva Oakley (Brian), lifelong friend Ida Hendry, and numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins. Later in life, Mom was fortunate to make the acquaintances of three half sisters and four half brothers and form a family bond with them. Eleanor was born, raised and continued to live in Middlechurch, MB, although there were two years after her marriage in June 1952, when she moved, with her husband, to Calgary. She attended West St. Paul School for Grades 1 through 11. Prior to marriage, Mom worked at James B. Carter (Automotive) and Perth's Cleaners. While raising a young family, she also worked at The Candle Factory in Middlechurch. In the mid 1970s, Mom returned to work at Middlechurch Home and decided to go to Red River Community College for both her Grade 12 GED and then the LPN Nursing diploma course, where upon she was employed full time as an LPN until her retirement in 1996 from The Middlechurch Home. Mom was an avid reader, knitter and a great cook and baker and she enjoyed activities in her yard and garden. Although the family took many trips to Calgary and Vancouver, it was 1981 before she did some international travel. With friends she did a Caribbean Cruise, then several trips to Las Vegas and Los Angeles. In 1991 she drove to Half Moon Bay in California with her sister-in-law Eva to visit her brother. On three occasions she travelled with her eldest son and daughter-in-law. In 1992 she did the backroads' of Holland, Belgium and France. In 1996 she attended Buddy Holley's 60th birthday celebrations in Lubbock, TX, and met members of his family and musical partners. In 2006 she travelled to Chicago and was introduced to some of Frank Lloyd Wright's work, the culture and wonderful people of Chicago, highlighted by the King Tut exhibit. Her last trip was in October 2012 where she accompanied her friends from Middlechurch on the Red for a Danube River Cruise. She had a very eclectic taste in music, loved her pets and shared those qualities with her children. When she was able, Mom volunteered to make perogies at Middlechurch Home and St. Theresa's Church. The family would like to extend their sincere appreciation for the treatment, care, compassion, and support our mother received from the staff at Seven Oaks General Hospital including: 3rd Floor Units 4 and 5, Dr. Fatoye and the wonderful staff at the Oncology Department and also Dr. Banerji and staff at CancerCare on McDermot. In addition we also thank all friends and family that continued to visit and contact Mom throughout her final journey. She appreciated that so very dearly. In lieu of flowers a donation can be made to a charity of your choice. Cremation has taken place. A Celebration of Mom's life will be held on Tuesday, September 17, 2013 starting at 2:00 p.m. at Neil Bardal Funeral Centre, 3030 Notre Dame Avenue (across from Brookside Cemetery). The family also thanks Richard and Marcel from Neil Bardal Funeral Centre for helping us through this. NEIL BARDAL FUNERAL CENTRE 204-949-2200 neilbardalinc.com

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Sep 14, 2013