ELEANOR CATHARINE HUBAND

Adjust Text Size: A+ A-

ELEANOR CATHARINE HUBAND

1935 - 2025

Eleanor was a fearless and determined woman, always ready to take on new challenges. She was born early in the morning on January 1, 1935, narrowly missing out at having her picture published in the Winnipeg Free Press and earning her parents, Norman and Ivah Brand, a gift basket.

She soldiered her way through school in Winnipeg, setting a bold and mildly scandalous example for her younger sister, Marilyn. After attending Normal School and qualifying to become a teacher, she taught grade one students for a short time. However, she met her future husband, Rolph Huband, at Lake of the Woods soon afterwards and her life changed tremendously.

They were married in December, 1954; she was 19 years old at the time. A brood of busy baby boys followed in quick succession - Chris, Scott and Philip - followed several years later by a much-wished-for daughter, Alison. In the meantime, in addition to managing her growing household and supporting Rolph as he moved forward with his career at the Hudson's Bay Company, Eleanor kept busy. She was active in the Junior League of Winnipeg, a community service organization, and led a troop of Brownies. She qualified to become a real estate agent. She painted dozens of large canvases, selling several of her paintings at local shows. She closely monitored the construction of a new house for the family in the Winnipeg suburb, Tuxedo, in 1967 and the purchase of a new cottage at Lake of the Woods in 1971. She also teamed with her friend, Anita Wood, to form Moving to..., a publication providing information for families moving from one city to another in Canada.

In 1976, her own family moved to Toronto, where - among other things - she was Manager of the Toronto Mendelssohn Youth Choir. She also bought and sold a steady stream of houses in central Toronto, providing employment for her then university-aged sons, earning some profit and generally improving the housing stock. In 1990, she and Rolph moved to Oakville.

Following Rolph's retirement in 1991, they spent their winters at Holmes Beach on Anna Maria Island in Florida. A few years after Rolph's death in 2016 following nearly 62 joyful years of marriage, she moved back to Winnipeg for a short time to be with her dear friend, Clive Wightman. In the past year or so, Eleanor adapted to life in the Niagara Region, living at The Rennie and, later, the Royal Henley Retirement Community in St. Catharines in close proximity to Alison.

Eleanor is survived, and will be lovingly remembered, by her children, Chris (and Gwen Chamberlain), Scott (and Sandi, plus Scott's first wife Maryse), Philip (and Barbara Mittleman) and Alison (and Rick Young), plus grandchildren, Joe, Helen, Selena, Matthew and Katie. She is also survived by her dear sister, Marilyn (and Dave Gourley), and their family. Eleanor has been cremated, with arrangements by George Darte Funeral Chapel in St. Catharines.

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Jul 26, 2025