Mrs. Eleanor Jean McKinnon

November 22, 1942 - April 10, 2020

Eleanor Jean McKinnon (nee McLeod) R.N. passed away at McKenzie Towne Long Term Care on April 10th, 2020 at the age of 77. She is lovingly remembered by her three daughters; Connie (Paul), Katherine (Rob), and Colleen (Mike). She will also be dearly missed by her 7 grandchildren: Christopher, Tavin, Kaylee, Avarie, James, William and Isabel. Eleanor is also survived by her sister Margaret Rarick and was an aunt to many. She was predeceased by her parents, Jean and James Smith McLeod and by her brother Jim McLeod. Eleanor was raised in Turner Valley, Alberta. She attended the University of Saskatchewan and in 1963 she graduated as a registered nurse from the Calgary General Hospital. She followed in the footsteps of her grandmother and mother who were also nurses. Eleanor worked for the Victorian Order of Nurses and then left the paid workforce for a number of years to raise her children. Eleanor ran a successful swimming business and returned to the nursing profession in the early 1980s. Eleanor was very proud to have been a 1988 Olympic Volunteer. As a result of the Alberta government’s budget cuts to health care in the early 1990s she relocated to Texas, Tennessee and Florida where she worked as a cardiac rehabilitation nurse. When Eleanor returned to Calgary in the early 2000s she worked in long term care homes and in palliative care. Eleanor was a feisty lady who marched to the beat of her own drum. She was adventurous and she was a survivor. She had a strong personality and was never afraid to speak her mind. Eleanor was also a very warm person who was kind and compassionate. She was a loyal friend and she had many lifelong friends who always stood by her side. She was passionate about her family, teaching swimming, renovating houses, baking, gardening, playing bridge, watching golf and discussing politics. She will be dearly missed by all who loved her. Thank you to Dr. Stassen and to all the staff at McKenzie Towne Long Term Care, for the outstanding care you gave our mother over the last year, especially during this recent pandemic. Knowing she was loved and cared for during her last days is comforting to the family. Thank you to all the staff at the Foothills Medical Center for the world class level of care provided to her in 2019 which allowed her to have another year of life. There will be a celebration of life when circumstances permit and an invitation will be sent to all friends and family. If friends so desire, memorial tributes to Eleanor may be made directly to the Heart & Stroke Foundation of Alberta, 200, 119 - 14 Street N.W., Calgary, AB T2N 1Z6 (Telephone 403-264-5549, www.heartandstroke.ca ). Caring for the family is Lyle Reeves Funerals of High River (Craig Snodgrass) 403.652.9489.