ELINOR DEWALT

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ELINOR DEWALT

January 21, 1933 – February 19, 2026

In loving memory of Elinor Agnes Dewalt, who passed away peacefully on February 19, 2026, at the age of 93.

Elinor was born to Everett and Lena Shortt in Fort St. John, British Columbia in 1933. She grew up on a farm in nearby Taylor with her sister, Frances, and her brothers, Roddy, Morley, and Russell. In 1952 she graduated from the Provincial Normal School in Victoria, and over the next five years taught in several schools in the B.C. interior. While living in Kamloops, she met and fell for an earnest young social worker named Lloyd Dewalt. They were married in 1956, and the first of their four children was born a year later. After stops in Cranbrook, Vancouver and Calgary, Elinor and Lloyd settled with their growing family in Winnipeg in 1962.

After nurturing her children through their early years, Elinor returned to post-secondary education. Determined effort in night classes and summer school earned her two degrees. She then resumed her teaching career with the Winnipeg School Division, teaching pupils at Faraday and Strathcona schools in the North End until 1990. While continuing to teach, Elinor cared for Lloyd through a lengthy illness and lost him after 35 years of loving marriage in 1992.

Elinor believed passionately in education and shared that passion over many years with her children and her pupils. In retirement, she indulged her love of reading, gardening and contract bridge. It was through bridge that she met Bob Hammond. They were married in 1997 and were blessed with 28 years together.

Elinor leaves to mourn her brothers, Morley and Russell; her children, Robert, Bryan (Gabrielle), Susan (Steve), and Doug; and her grandchildren, Cameron (Brittany), Ryan (Nicole), Brendan (Jackie), and Sarah. Mourning also are her loving husband Bob; his children, Stephen (Jack), Sharon, and Dan (Elisia); and his grandchildren, Whitney, Lauren, and Gareth.

The family would like to thank the staff of the Grace Hospital and Deer Lodge Centre for their devotion to Elinor’s care in her final months.

A service to celebrate Elinor’s life will be held on March 13, 2026, at 2:00 p.m. at Thomson “In the Park” Funeral Home, 1291 McGillivray Blvd. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the charity of your choice.

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Feb 28, 2026