Eleanor Gardiner, widow of Alan, passed away peacefully at Southbridge Pinewood at the age of 87.
Born in Winnipeg, she attended the University of Toronto and was in the last class to graduate as both a physio- and occupational therapist (P.T. & O.T.). Eleanor was a pioneer in both fields, not only working at T.O. Rehab Centre, the Society for Crippled Children and Adults, the Shrine Hospital, and personal care homes, but also creating new O.T. departments at the Winnipeg General Hospital, and later in Thunder Bay at Hogarth/Westmount Hospital where she worked over 23 years.
She later moved into the private sector, offering O.T. to Veterans and long-term care home residents until she retired after 50 years of service. Rarely could Eleanor move about in Thunder Bay without running into someone who had worked with her, been trained by her, was treated by her or whose family member had been in her care.
Outside the medical field, Eleanor taught piano at home in Winnipeg. After the family moved to Thunder Bay in 1972, she and Alan bought a fishing resort on the Northwest Bay of Rainy Lake. So after working a full week as an O.T., she and the family drove four hours to work all weekend at the resort, before returning home on Sunday nights to start all over again.
Eleanor travelled extensively with Alan around the world, including Kenya for a Safari. But it was in Jamaica where she found special friends within a small church, at a trade school, and in a dive shop. Eleanor had a special gift for connecting with people wherever she went and making their lives better.
Family, extended family, church, and of course camp - which eventually became her lakehouse, meant everything to her.
In recent years, Eleanor’s health continued to fail. But anyone who spent time in her company found themselves laughing with her. Because as she often said, “I have to laugh. What’s the alternative?”
Eleanor is pre-deceased by her husband, Alan; her parents Arvid and Martha (nee Larson) Lundman; her siblings Edward Lundman (Rowena), Eileen Dew (Bill), and Dorine Milner (Lawrence). Left to carry on her legacy is her son, John-Bryan, daughters
Marjorie and Fiona-Jean; her grand-daughter, Healey; and a multitude of grand-dogs. Also her "adopted little sister" Darlene Stezenko.
The family would like to thank the staff of Southbridge Pinewood, especially Sherri, Rachel, Ashley, and everyone who took time to laugh with her. And of course, her beloved Leo, who cared for her like family (even arguing with her) from her first day there to her very last.
Funeral services to be held on Thursday October 3, 2024 at 10:30 am in St. Paul's Anglican Church, Ridgeway Street with Archdeacon Deborah Kraft officiating. Interment to follow in Riverside Cemetery. Visitation will be held Wednesday evening from 6:00 to 8:00 pm in the WESTFORT CHAPEL, 420 West Gore at James.
Donations can be made to St. Paul’s Anglican Church, World Vision Canada, or the Thunder Bay and District Humane Society.
A mother's love's a blessing
No matter where you roam
Keep her while she's living
You'll miss her when she's gone
Love her as in childhood
Though feeble old and grey
For you'll never miss your mother's love
Till she's buried beneath the clay
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