Obituary of Eleanor May Irving

Eleanor May (née Scott) Irving, a longtime resident of Brandon, passed away July 31, 2011 at the Baldur Hospital Transitional Centre. Eleanor May Scott was born April 9, 1916 in Tribune Saskatchewan, the sixth of John and Sarah (née Barnard) Scott 's seven children. John and Sarah had emigrated from England in 1905 with their two oldest children. Following Eleanor's birth in 1916, the family moved to Weyburn where her father was employed as the course Golf Pro. When the family moved to Yorkton, he continued with this job. All of the family were taught the game of golf and most of them played all their lives. In November of 1946, Eleanor and her parents moved to Vancouver Island. Eleanor helped her father build a small cottage at Saseenos, near Sooke. It was hoped, a warmer climate might be better for Eleanor's invalid mother. Eleanor spent 15 years looking after her mother. This was before the days of lift chairs, electric beds and respite. She was the master of improvising and "making do." A letter of recommendation written by the nursing Superintendent in Victoria stated that Eleanor was very able to care for any nursing need. With the passing of her mother, Eleanor traveled to Saskatchewan and Manitoba to visit brothers and sisters. While visiting her sister in Brandon, she was introduced to Hubert Irving. They were married on August 16, 1952. Hubert built the house at 650 -14th Street where they lived until 1990. During the years of raising their family, Eleanor participated in the activities of church; choir, vacation bible school, COC's, Ladies Aid, Women's Missionary Society, as well as community volunteering with Meals on Wheels, and Christmas Cheer to name a few. Eleanor always loved to travel. Trips to visit family, seeing England , bus tours, going to Wendy's for a Junior Cheese burger and a coffee, riding Brandon Transit to the Mall. She was always ready to go places. Hubert's passing in 1991, after 39 years together, was a very difficult adjustment. Gradually her independence grew, but she never got over missing him by her side. Eleanor had mentioned often that she never thought she'd live to be a grandmother. There are six grandchildren and ten great grandchildren. She has many family and friends who have known her influence in 95 years. Her personal faith in Jesus Christ had always been evident in her life and on Sunday, July 31, 2011 she passed into the presence of her Lord and Savior. Eleanor was predeceased by her parents, brothers and sisters and her beloved husband, Hubert. She leaves to remember her daughter, Nancy (Harry), son Jim (Val), six grandchildren, ten great grandchildren, one sister-in-law, nieces and nephews. A daughter, sister, auntie, wife, mother, grandmother, great grandmother, co-worker, friend: we have each known the same woman in a different capacity . She will be remembered by us all. The Funeral Service was held at the First Presbyterian Church, on Thursday, August 4, 2011 with The Rev. Dr. Dong-Ha Kim officiating. The interment followed at Rosewood Memorial Gardens. In lieu of flowers, if friends desire, donations in memory of Eleanor may be made to the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Manitoba, Unit 3-824-18th Street, Brandon, MB R7A 5B7, to the First Presbyterian Church, 339-12th Street, Brandon, MB R7A 4M3 or a charity of choice.