ELEANOR CLINKARD

1952 - 2024

Eleanor Seale-Clinkard (nee Seale) passed away peacefully on Saturday, May 11, 2024, in the presence of her devoted husband John, of 42 years, and her three children and their partners: David (Laura), Paul (Britney), and Anne (Sam). Eleanor will be greatly missed by her husband, children, her two grandchildren (Pennington and Brooks), and by her large circle of friends. Eleanor was born in Senneville, Quebec in 1952. She was the second oldest of four daughters of Bill and Tina Seale (nee Hoffman) who met in Groningen, Holland shortly after the Canadian Army liberated the country in 1944-45, while Bill was an officer in the Canadian Army. Eleanor cherished her Dutch heritage and visited the country several times in her youth and later with her husband. Music was an integral part of Eleanor's life and identity. She played and taught clarinet and piano from a young age, and was an active member in her high school band, playing at Expo-67 and touring Scotland and England. After high school she attended Bishop's University, completing a double honours in English and music, while playing clarinet professionally in the Sherbrooke Symphony Orchestra, occupying the role of concertmistress. After graduation in 1974, Eleanor moved to Toronto where she took a job as a copy editor at Holt Rinehart and Winston. Following a brief stint in publishing, she moved to recruiting as a head-hunter, initially at Jerry Baker and Associates and subsequently as a vice president at Management One Consultants. With her very warm and outgoing personality, Eleanor could talk to anyone and make them feel at ease. Her career success (and prudent budgeting) enabled her to buy a house on her own before her 30th birthday, an achievement that she remembered with pride for the rest of her life. Despite having a career she loved and her own home, Eleanor had always dreamed of having a family. At the encouragement of a coworker, she answered a personal ad in the Globe and Mail placed by a single male (divorced, no children) who had similar aspirations of finding a family-oriented partner to spend the rest of his life with. Eleanor did what she did best, and after a thorough "interview" at the Belair Café on Cumberland, she decided that this 'candidate' had potential. John and Eleanor married a year later, each selling their respective homes to purchase a larger home suitable for the three children that blessed their lives shortly thereafter (and, of course, a grand piano). Eleanor retired from recruiting for more flexible and "family friendly" hours, and began teaching piano to children in the neighbourhood, which she would continue until 2020. She also joined a group of local mothers, forming a "Moms and Tots group" who, like Eleanor, were all first-time mothers eager to learn parenting skills and trade expertise and time. These friendships were maintained as their children grew up, married, and had children of their own. After all three children left for university, Eleanor turned her attention to financial management. An avid researcher, she quickly picked up successful investment principles and brought together a group of like-minded individuals who met monthly to discuss stocks and bonds. She was a successful investor whose advice and financial expertise were frequently sought by her friends and children. When John retired and moved his gym membership uptown and closer to home, Eleanor decided to join him. Their gym routine quickly became one of the most important parts of her day, establishing a love of fitness that Eleanor maintained for the rest of her life. It was at the gym where she also met her "gym ladies," a group of women who met for post-workout coffees, took trips together to Upstate New York, and supported each other through health and personal battles. Eleanor also enjoyed travel, and in keeping with her "do-it-yourself" approach, she became the tour director for herself and John, planning many trips to Europe, Ireland and the UK. For the past several wedding anniversaries, she organized a trip to Corning, New York, making sure to reserve a table in the front window of "Three Birds Restaurant." This would ensure they had a front-row seat for the local parade of lights on the US Thanksgiving weekend. Although Eleanor's physical health declined quickly in the past year, she will be remembered by her family and friends as a "force" who faced life, and death, on her own terms. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations to The Salvation Army would be appreciated. A service and reception will be held at Morley Bedford Funeral Home, 159 Eglinton Ave West, on June 4 at 1p.m.