Eleanor Anderson

Eleanor Grace Anderson (nee Corliss)

October 31, 1944- September 17, 2022

After living with a broken heart since Roy’s passing, Eleanor passed away peacefully at Kin Place Personal Care Home on Saturday, September. 17, 2022.

Eleanor is predeceased by her husband, James Roy Anderson, stepson Leonard, her grandson, Jesse Wray Leiss and her first husband, Les Reid.

Eleanor will be sadly missed by her family; Marty Brazil (Orv), Fran Anderson (Rick), Tracy Davies (Adrian), Kelly Reid (Rob), Marvin Reid and numerous grandchildren, great and great–great grandchildren

Eleanor, known as El, Ellie, Elly-Mae from down the way, Elzabob (the good witch), and Pet, Mom and Nana, was born in Winnipeg to Mary and Leonard Corliss of Clarkleigh, MB.

Eleanor grew up in West Kildonan where she could be seen running down to the chip stand at the Margaret Avenue bus loop. While in school she enjoyed playing volleyball, baseball and basketball. Having a fun time with many parties in the basement dancing and listening to music on the hi-fi.

Eleanor started working at James Richardson International in the call center and later became a 411 operator with Manitoba Telecom Services. Upon retiring from MTS after 20 years of service, she become a health care aide for another 20 years. Eleanor began caring for others at an early age as she was a nanny for Marty and Leonard.

Her true calling in life was counselling and caring for others. She enjoyed taking courses and took tremendous pride in each certificate of completion.

In 1981 she married the love of her life, Roy Anderson.

At this time, her musical interests became as varied as her hat collection. She could be seen jiving to Elvis, singing along with Roysie as he strummed and sang everything from Randy Travis, Kenny Rogers, Hank Snow and Johnny Cash, to name a few.

Good times were always found at the cabin near Lac du Bonnet. Family and friends always left with a story to tell.

Eleanor loved entertaining their guests and even had a duet performance of Harry Belanfonte’s There’s a Hole in the Bucket. She was truly the life of the party.

Eleanor loved throwing theme-based parties where no venue was too large to fill with family, friends and friends of friends. Most often making a humourous rhyming invite for all to enjoy. It was fitting for her birthday to be on Halloween as she loved to dress up with Roy and attend parties in disguise. Often taking home first place. In her final home at Kin Place she instigated “happy hour” for the residents to raise their glasses and enjoy some music and a snack together.

Family memories weren’t just kept in Eleanor’s mind. She saved love notes from her grandfather, David Macauly and went on to communicate with her cousins in Scotland to fill in gaps in her family’s genealogy. Eleanor took great pride in her families’ history. It is laminated for all to see. No family story is too small to share. Eleanor was the glue of the family and maintained family values. She was very proud to be the family matriarch.

Eleanor had numerous pets. As a child, she had a dog named Blacky and cats named Puff and Betty. Eleanor continued to have her own as an adult. Midge, Boots, Fiddle, Star and Elmo.

When residing in Selkirk she became more involved with the Legion where she volunteered on the sick visiting committee. Her heart of gold overflowed with her generosity. She also made regular meal donations to Siloam Mission.

Eleanor’s charitable nature extended beyond human beings as she found time to donate to PETA (People with Ethics Towards Animals), WWF (World Wildlife Federation) and locally to the Winnipeg Humane Society.

Celebration of Life will take place in Selkirk, on Saturday, October 29, 2022 at 11:00 a.m. in the Gilbart Funeral Chapel with reception to follow.

Eleanor always wanted to look her best, donning a hat and lipstick, before leaving the house.  Ladies, you are invited to wear your pretty party hat as you bid her farewell.

The family would like to thank the staff at Kin Place, for their patience, understanding and tender loving care towards Eleanor. She had a lot of pride and you helped her maintain her dignity during her trying times.

Please make donations to Siloam Mission or The Humane Society in Eleanor’s honour.

To plant a beautiful memorial tree in memory of Eleanor Anderson, please visit our Tree Store.