ELEANOR JANET SMITH (MITCHELL)

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ELEANOR JANET SMITH
(nee MITCHELL)
September 30, 1933 - October 25, 2020

Peacefully on Sunday, October 25, 2020, Eleanor Smith passed away at Lions Prairie Manor at the age of 87 years.
Eleanor will be lovingly remembered by her godson\nephew Mitchell (Glory) Walker; brother Joseph (Agnes) Mitchell; nieces, Shelley Mitchell (Richard Muller) and Donna (Rob) Yanke; nephews, Brent and Scott (Krista) Mitchell; great-nieces, Erika Mitchell, Hayley Gentry and Mandy (Peter) Sharkey; great-nephews, Tyler (Chelsea), Brendan, Michael Mitchell and Derek Yanke; great-great-nieces and nephews, Berkeley Ava, Vaughn and Luke Mitchell, and Zoe and Wyatt Lavallee; cousins, Margaret Ceretti, Sharon Barnett and Leonard Holyk; special friends, Anita Miles and Joyce Dalmyn, and countless neighbours and fellow volunteers.
Eleanor was predeceased by her husband Alvin Smith, her parents, Joseph and Olga Mitchell (nee Tenosky), sister Marlene Walker "Bubs", brother Gordon Mitchell "Corky", aunts, Lillian (Peter) Pallick, Helen (Joseph) Sagal, Anne (Michael) Holyk, uncles, Michael (Anne) and Carl Tenosky, cousins, Sandra Manko Bernice Lanouette, Janet Gurke and Joan Payment.
Eleanor was born, raised, educated, employed, volunteered and resided in Portage la Prairie her entire life. She started the North End on Third Street North West, then on to Alfred Avenue, and on to Lorne Avenue East, and finally at the Lions Prairie Manor.
Eleanor and Alvin were married on September 22, 1956, at the First Presbyterian Church in Portage. They celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary in 2006 shortly before Alvin's passing.
Eleanor worked at Eaton's department store in Portage while Alvin worked at the Portage Garage. After leaving Eaton's, Eleanor became a full-time housewife and an accomplished baker. Her family and friends enjoyed many sweet treats from her kitchen that she would deliver personally. Besides her daily walks, she maintained a well-kept lawn, flower gardens, and houseplants.
Eleanor and Alvin travelled extensively. They went all over Canada and the USA including Hawaii. They also visited many regions and cities of Mexico.
Eleanor and Alvin were season ticket holders for the Portage Terriers for over 40 years. Eleanor was able to attend the first two Terrier home games this season. She had a special relationship with several fellow fans at the rink. Eleanor was accomplished ten pin bowler and had numerous trophies for high singles and triples and league championships at Delta Lanes. Eleanor was also an avid ice skater and belonged to the local Kilcare Skating club for many years.
Eleanor was a Lady of the Royal Purple of Canada Lodge No. 66 in Portage for several years until the chapter dissolved in 2012. Eleanor was also a member of the Herman Prior Senior Services Centre in Portage. Eleanor volunteered in the kitchen there. She served at many weddings and banquets at the centre. Eleanor also volunteered with Citizens On Patrol Portage (COPP). She received special recognition for 20 years of service in 2018.
The family wishes to thank all the nurses and nurses aides on Walker Road and Parkside, as well as the Recreation Department, all the support staff at the Lions Prairie Manor for the past two years. A special thank you to Dr. Nathan Dow and Dr. Christopher Proctor for Eleanor's medical care.
Viewing will take place at McKenzies Portage Funeral Chapel on Friday, October 30, 2020, from 7:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Funeral service will be held at McKenzies Portage Funeral Chapel on Saturday, October 31, 2020, at 11:00 a.m., led by Rev. John Zondag. Interment will follow at Hillside Cemetery.
As expressions of sympathy, if friends so wish, donations may be made in Eleanor's memory to the Heart & Stroke Foundation of Manitoba, 1379 Kenaston Blvd., Winnipeg, MB R3P 2T5 or Lions Prairie Manor Foundation Inc, 24 - 9th Street NE, Portage la Prairie, MB R1N 3V4.

A tree will be planted in memory and cared for by McKenzies Portage Funeral Chapel. www.mckenziesportagefuneralchapel.com

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Oct 31, 2020