Eleanor Reilly

Our beloved mom passed away unexpectedly from natural causes at her holiday home in North Fort Myers, Florida on Thursday, November 25, 2021. She was 74 years old.
Mom was married to our dad, Frank, the love of her life, for 42 years (predeceased in 2011). Her passing is an immeasurable loss for her children Derek (Sue), Allison (Kyle), Gillian (Phil) and Kirsten (Alex); she was an adored grandmother of Mika, Taidg, Julia, Callum, Luca, Ewan and Olivia; a dear sister of Francis (predeceased), Joyce (predeceased) and Josie. Our mom was a dynamic and buoyant presence who will be greatly missed by her nephews, nieces, extended family and friends.
A woman enthusiastic in her adventures, mom immigrated to Canada from Glasgow, Scotland with her husband and two young children, settling in Toronto in the early 1970's. From humble beginnings she became a nurse in hospitals and private practice, eventually managing and owning a clinic in Waterloo. Mom's willingness to try new things was borne out well when she became pub owner at the Duke of Wellington. Her positive spirit helped make her a passionate advocate for anti-poverty initiatives. From her days in Aylmer QC, Mom was an active volunteer with the Saint Vincent de Paul Society, taking on the role of chapter president at St. Agnes Church when she moved to Waterloo.
From the cool beaches of Girvan to the warm sands of the Caribbean, Mom was a lover of sand, sun, and sea. Her love of the water only grew when she discovered Bayfield, Ontario. There, she embraced the boating life and met many new friends that became very important to both her and our late father.
Mom was persistent and that streak was the foundation of her ability to live much of her life on her own terms. Our mom was a fun loving person interested in everyone she spoke to. She loved a good party and playing her favourite music from Motown, David Bowie and the Eagles. She was a serious casual gardener and loved sitting and watching sunsets. We loved her, we will miss her greatly and we will keep her spirit alive in the stories we tell her grandchildren.
Cremation has taken place. A private funeral will be held in December for the immediate family that meets current COVID regulations. Friends and family will be welcome at a celebration of Eleanor's life in the summer of 2022. Details of this event will be shared by the family at a later date.
Condolences for the family and donations to St. Vincent De Paul Goderich, St. Peters Conference may be arranged with the charity at 519-524-1087 or online at www.canadahelps.org