Passed away peacefully at Albright Manor on May 12, two weeks before her 98th birthday. She was predeceased by Donald (2021), her husband of over 72 years, their firstborn, Diana Lynn (1950) and son-in-law, Chuck Havill (2022). Eleanor was the loved and loving Mother, Grandmother and Great-Grandmother of son Rick, daughter-in-law Janie (Holman) and their family Becki & Igor Gutman (Bennett, Elyse & Ivy); Carli & Dr. Patrick Scott (Alex & Liana) and Dr. James Hughes & Dr. Matea Drljepan (Edmund & Godric) and daughter Debbie Havill and children Blake and Aubin. She is also survived by her brother-in-law Harvey Forde and many Hughes and Morris nieces and nephews.
Eleanor was born on the family farm in Ridgeville on May 27, 1925 and enjoyed a happy life with her parents Anna & Harold Morris and late sisters Marjorie (Gilbert Walker Dec.) and Isobel (Harvey Forde). She attended Ridgeville Public School and Pelham High followed by Robinson Business College in Welland where she became a teacher of typing, shorthand and penmanship. Little of these talents rubbed off on her children.
She met Don while working at her aunt and uncle’s lodge in Port Sydney, Ontario and they married in 1948. She became a stay-at-home Mom. Rick and Debbie benefitted from her before and after-school hugs, her bread-making, baking and canning skills and many other conventional domestic activities of the 50’s and 60’s.
She was an active member of Fonthill United Church her entire Ridgeville life and was an avid quilter, knitter and crocheter for various church and family projects over decades. She was a wonderful friend to many. She and Don were able to remain in their home until December 2020 due to the kindness and assistance of Kasha, Collette, Fran, Gwenn, Christine and “Girl Friday”.
She and Don received outstanding loving care at Albright Manor in Beamsville. The family is forever grateful to the amazing staff who knew it was always the little things that mattered most. A Celebration of Life will be held at Fonthill United Church on Thursday, May 25 at 11:00 with a reception to follow. Memorial donations to the church or the Albright Manor Resident Blessing Fund would be appreciated. Condolences may be shared at www.pelhamfuneralhome.ca
This Earthly House – found with Eleanor’s bible
You tell me I am getting old,
But that’s not actually so;
The house I live in may be worn
And that of course I know;
It’s been in use a good long while
And weathered many a gale,
I’m therefore not surprised to find
It’s getting somewhat frail.
You tell me I am getting old,
You mix my house with me;
You’re looking at the outside,
That’s all most folks see;
The dweller in the little house
Is young and bright and gay,
Just starting on a life that lasts
Through long Eternal Day.
