Obituary for Eleanor Mary Henderson MacDonald (Duncan)
Our mum. A strong, Scottish woman.
Ar màthair. Boireannach làidir Albannach.
Peacefully, at her home in Orangeville, on Wednesday, May 5, 2021, Eleanor Mary Henderson Macdonald (nee Duncan) passed away in her 86th year. Beloved wife of the late Donald Macdonald (1992); loving mother of Greg Macdonald and Pam Russell (Chris); cherished grandmother of Emma & Megan Macdonald and Lily & Matthew Russell; sister of the late Matthew Duncan (2014) and the late Margaret Berrie (2020). Eleanor loved her family and her many, close friends so dearly. She will be sadly missed by all.
Eleanor came to Canada in May, 1965 at the age of 29. Marrying in 1967, she and Don lived and worked in a variety of places – the Arctic, Sept-Isle, Moosonee, Thunder Bay, Brampton and other locations – eventually settling down in Caledon in 1974. During this time, Eleanor worked as a nurse, with Children’s Aid, and at the Post Office. In 1982, Eleanor graduated from the Electrolysis College in Toronto, when, as an entrepreneur and founder, she opened the Electrolysis Clinic of Caledon, working as an electrologist until she retired in 2011. Most recently, Eleanor enjoyed living in Orangeville beside her family. Throughout her life, Eleanor loved nature, feeding the birds and other wildlife, her cats, teddy bears, copious amounts of tea and singing in the local community choir (The Just Friends Singers) and Knox United Church choir.
Born in Cambuslang, Scotland, to the late William Duncan and the late Margaret Duncan (nee Sharp), Eleanor trained and worked as a nurse at the Royal Hospital for Children in Glasgow. She joined the army and was a 2nd Lieutenant in the 52nd (Scottish Lowland Division) Signal Regiment. There, in 1964, Eleanor proudly acted as Aide-de-camp (A.D.C.) to H.R.H the Princess Royal on her visit to the Camp. It was here in Scotland, that her passion for music and singing developed as she sang in community choirs and a professional Opera Company.
Eleanor fought a long and tough battle with advanced systemic scleroderma, pulmonary hypertension, lupus and other health conditions. Throughout it all, her sense of humour, positive outlook, no-nonsense approach, and fierce independence were ever-present. A sincere thank you from the family goes to the many supporting healthcare professionals at Toronto General Hospital, T.G.H. Pulmonary Hypertension Clinic, Orangeville Headwaters Hospital, Closing The Gap Healthcare, LHIN Homecare Services and our local Paramedic community outreach. A special heartfelt thank you from the family goes to Eleanor’s much loved PSW, Sharon Reaume, who brightened every day for her.
A Private Graveside Service and Interment at Forest Lawn Cemetery will be held at a later date.
As expressions of sympathy, in lieu of flowers, donations to the Nature Conservancy of Canada, Canadian Wildlife Federation or OSPCA would be appreciated.
A tree will be planted in memory of Eleanor in the Dods & McNair Memorial Forest at the Island Lake Conservation Area, Orangeville. The next annual dedication service will be held on Sunday, September 12, 2021 at 2:30pm. Condolences may be offered to the family at www.dodsandmcnair.com
Ar màthair. Boireannach làidir Albannach.
Peacefully, at her home in Orangeville, on Wednesday, May 5, 2021, Eleanor Mary Henderson Macdonald (nee Duncan) passed away in her 86th year. Beloved wife of the late Donald Macdonald (1992); loving mother of Greg Macdonald and Pam Russell (Chris); cherished grandmother of Emma & Megan Macdonald and Lily & Matthew Russell; sister of the late Matthew Duncan (2014) and the late Margaret Berrie (2020). Eleanor loved her family and her many, close friends so dearly. She will be sadly missed by all.
Eleanor came to Canada in May, 1965 at the age of 29. Marrying in 1967, she and Don lived and worked in a variety of places – the Arctic, Sept-Isle, Moosonee, Thunder Bay, Brampton and other locations – eventually settling down in Caledon in 1974. During this time, Eleanor worked as a nurse, with Children’s Aid, and at the Post Office. In 1982, Eleanor graduated from the Electrolysis College in Toronto, when, as an entrepreneur and founder, she opened the Electrolysis Clinic of Caledon, working as an electrologist until she retired in 2011. Most recently, Eleanor enjoyed living in Orangeville beside her family. Throughout her life, Eleanor loved nature, feeding the birds and other wildlife, her cats, teddy bears, copious amounts of tea and singing in the local community choir (The Just Friends Singers) and Knox United Church choir.
Born in Cambuslang, Scotland, to the late William Duncan and the late Margaret Duncan (nee Sharp), Eleanor trained and worked as a nurse at the Royal Hospital for Children in Glasgow. She joined the army and was a 2nd Lieutenant in the 52nd (Scottish Lowland Division) Signal Regiment. There, in 1964, Eleanor proudly acted as Aide-de-camp (A.D.C.) to H.R.H the Princess Royal on her visit to the Camp. It was here in Scotland, that her passion for music and singing developed as she sang in community choirs and a professional Opera Company.
Eleanor fought a long and tough battle with advanced systemic scleroderma, pulmonary hypertension, lupus and other health conditions. Throughout it all, her sense of humour, positive outlook, no-nonsense approach, and fierce independence were ever-present. A sincere thank you from the family goes to the many supporting healthcare professionals at Toronto General Hospital, T.G.H. Pulmonary Hypertension Clinic, Orangeville Headwaters Hospital, Closing The Gap Healthcare, LHIN Homecare Services and our local Paramedic community outreach. A special heartfelt thank you from the family goes to Eleanor’s much loved PSW, Sharon Reaume, who brightened every day for her.
A Private Graveside Service and Interment at Forest Lawn Cemetery will be held at a later date.
As expressions of sympathy, in lieu of flowers, donations to the Nature Conservancy of Canada, Canadian Wildlife Federation or OSPCA would be appreciated.
A tree will be planted in memory of Eleanor in the Dods & McNair Memorial Forest at the Island Lake Conservation Area, Orangeville. The next annual dedication service will be held on Sunday, September 12, 2021 at 2:30pm. Condolences may be offered to the family at www.dodsandmcnair.com