ELEANOR FRANCIS FIORI (GIBBINGS)

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ELEANOR FRANCIS FIORI (nee GIBBINGS) completed her earthly pilgrimage on Sunday, February 20, 2005 at the age of 86. Prayers were held at St. Augustine's Roman Catholic Church in Brandon, MB, on Wednesday, February 23 at 7:00 p.m. The Funeral Liturgy was celebrated on Thursday, February 24 at 2:00 p.m., presided by her son Fr. James Fiori, O.M.I. and co-celebrated by 10 priests and two deacons. Born on June 2, 1918 at the family farm in Breadalbane in the Municipality of Woodworth to Henry Willsmore Gibbings and Mary Isobel Innes. Eleanor began her education in Breadalbane School and later attended high school at Oak Lake, MB. It was here that she met her husband Vincent James Fiori (Jack). Eleanor and Jack were married on November 20, 1938. Because Jack worked for the CPR they lived in many communities, Oak River, MB, Arcola, SK, Harroby, SK, Grayson, SK, Oak Lake and Moosomin, SK. After the death of her husband, the family moved to The Pas, MB where she taught briefly as a permit teacher. She received a diploma in social work from the Assiniboine College in Brandon, after which she was employed as a social worker in Dauphin, a position she held for 15 years. Upon her retirement she moved to Brandon. Never one to let grass grow beneath her feet she promptly enrolled as a mature student at Brandon University fulfilling a lifelong dream of completing a degree. At the age of 78, she donned the mortarboard and received her BA. Eleanor was a woman of profound faith and was very involved in her church. At St. Viators in Dauphin she was presented with the Pope's Benemerenti gold medal for good service. She continued her involvement in St. Augustine's in Brandon. Being artistic and with her love of flowers she decorated the altars of the Church on a weekly basis for 22 years. She was also an organist, lector and Eucharistic Minister. Eleanor is survived by her three children, Merrilyn Fiori of Winnipeg, Fr. James Fiori, O.M.I. of Ottawa, ON and Marion Jordan (Bill) of Neepawa; six grandchildren, Paul, Emile, Peter and Nicole Morrissette, Kristan Valade (Eric) and Andrew Jordan; and three great-grandchildren. Many nieces, nephews and cousins also mourn her passing. She was predeceased by all her siblings, Harvey, Innes (Ben) Kay and Leona. Her husband Jack died on April 21, 1962. While small in stature she possessed a huge heart. She radiated joy and lived life to the fullest. She embraced her death as she did life I have lived a good life, she said, full steam ahead, no detours. With an incredible faith, much humour and serenity she went to God in Peace. Messages of condolence may be placed at www.brockiedonovan.com. Arrangements were in care of Brockie Donovan, Brandon.

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Mar 01, 2005