ELEANOR DOROTHY ELLIOTT GIBSON (ALBRIGHT)

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ELEANOR DOROTHY ELLIOTT GIBSON (nee ALBRIGHT) August 31, 1918 - January 18, 2017 After a fruitful life as brilliant student, social worker, mother, active volunteer and advisor to younger women, Eleanor passed away at age 98. She is survived by son Lorne (Jaqueline) of Calgary, son Howard (Patricia) of Winnipeg, and daughter (Avis) of Winnipeg. She has five grandchildren Shelley (Marlon), Tannis (David), Charlene (Doug), Richard (Rob) and Claire (Mike); plus eight great-grandchildren. She was predeceased by her sisters Ilah and Marian and brother Clint. She was born in Winnipeg, the second child of Howard H. Albright and Rachel Louise (Kastner) Albright from whom she learned high standards of service. She attended Daniel MacIntyre Collegiate and United College from which she graduated in Arts in 1938. Subsequently she achieved a post-graduate diploma in Psychology from the University of Toronto. She returned to Winnipeg and began her career as a social worker. Eleanor was so young and petite in appearance that her mother used to travel with her on her rounds outside of Winnipeg that sometimes included overnighting in hotel rooms with the pub visible through the floorboards. In 1941, Eleanor married lawyer Lorne James Carter Elliott, son of Lorne John Elliott and Gertrude (Carter) Elliott. Her first son, Lorne Richard Carter Elliott, was born in 1942 followed by Howard James Clinton Elliott in 1945 and daughter Avis Louise Elliott in 1948. When her husband, Lorne, was confined in an iron lung with polio in 1952 she proved tireless in encouraging his return to health while ensuring the well-being of their children. She returned to work as a social worker with the Child Guidance Clinic of the Winnipeg School Division. After three years, she convinced the hospital administrators to innovate by allowing her husband to return to work at the Law Courts part time and come back to the hospital to sleep on a rocking bed. Her perseverance led to Lorne's return home and to full-time service as Master and Referee in the Court of Queen's Bench. As a result they could jointly celebrate the graduation of all their children from university and subsequent marriages. She continued to work and volunteer with YWCA and the Girl Guides. Following Lorne's death, she married T. Hume Gibson, widower, and together they provided a welcoming home to children and their respective families from both sides of the marriage. Together they managed visits from across Canada and from around the world. When she stopped working with the Clinic, she accelerated her volunteer activities where her energy was put to good use. Her volunteer periods with the Children's Hospital Foundation Guilds; the Children's Hospital Research Foundation; the Manitoba Health Auxiliaries Association, and St. Andrews United Church were rewarding. She served as President of the Women's Canadian Club of Winnipeg and the Winnipeg Council of Women. At various times she held executive positions in the Women's Auxiliaries of the WSO, the WAG and the University of Winnipeg. Her many friends were dear to her in the University Women's Club (CFUW) and in the Beta Sigma Phi sorority for which she was an advisor. Eleanor valued her independence and lived alone in her home with support from family and several special people from WRHA. During her hospitalization following a fall, she was cared for professionally and compassionately by nurses and aides at the HSC for which our family is grateful. She died peacefully after having received "beautiful" visits from family from Calgary, Toronto and Montreal. Cremation has taken place. A celebration of Eleanor's life will be held on Friday, March 10, 2017 at 1:00 p.m. at St. Andrews River Heights United Church, 255 Oak Street. THOMSON "IN THE PARK" 204-925-1120 Condolences may be sent to www.thomsoninthepark.com

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Jan 28, 2017