Obituary of Eleanor Mary Buttrey

Buttrey, Eleanor Mary (Malloy) 1923-2021 Eleanor passed away peacefully at the Carveth Care Centre in Gananoque, Ontario on Monday February 1, 2021 in her 98th year. Eleanor was mother to Mary (Clive) Card and Yvonne (Michael) Scott, and mother-in-law to Maria Buttrey. “Amma” will be missed by grandchildren Liam (Kelda), Breanne (Andrew), Austin (Maljorie), Ella (Nate), and Grayland, and great-grandchildren Elodie, Esmé, Ryker, Arya, and Aidan. ‘Aunt Chic’ is fondly remembered by many nieces and nephews from coast to coast and in the USA. She is survived by her brother Murray (Margaret) Malloy, and sisters-in-laws Jean and Marie Malloy. She is pre-deceased by parents Earl and Mabel (Dickson) Malloy and six siblings, her husband ‘Bill’ (2020) and her son Jim in 2013. Eleanor Mary was born on July 22, 1923, the fourth child in a loving family of eight children. The family lived in Halifax at 1 Tower Rd. Eleanor’s family nickname was ‘Chic’ due to her white-blonde hair. It eventually became ‘Aunt Chic’ and even ‘Chic Dear’. Everyone loved her, and she loved them. She enjoyed caring for others, so it was not a surprise that she wanted to become a nurse. Following high school, she trained at Halifax Sick Children’s Hospital for three years graduating with her RN in 1946. She served with the VON in Truro, NS for a year and then for Public Health in Halifax. While there, she was awarded a bursary to attend McGill University for public health training, returning to practice in Halifax with her PH certification. Like many Halifax families during the war, the Malloy household invited servicemen for home-cooked-meals and family time while away from home. After the war, Eleanor reconnected with one of the naval officers, and in June 1950, Bill and Eleanor were married and she moved to Toronto. As a young bride, Eleanor continued her nursing with Toronto Public Health. She recalled that while she faced many eye-opening scenarios it was important and meaningful work, for which she was well prepared. In 1954, the family moved to Gananoque. Bill was part of an exciting new accountancy initiative focused on serving small towns in the province, now known as BDO Canada. Even with a busy family, she welcomed students from Queens and RMC, as well as Rotary exchanges, just as her parents had welcomed servicemen years before. Everyone was received with open arms and enjoyed the very best hospitality. Eleanor was a busy home-maker, and in addition to meeting the needs of her very active young family, she volunteered for local Blood Donor Clinics, the Gananoque Food Bank, and the Cancer Society, becoming the ‘Service to Patients’ chair. Her nursing skills and experience were always at the ready for family, neighbours and the community. She was an active member of Grace United Church, singing in the choir for forty-four years, and participated in service and social organizations like the ‘King’s Daughters’. She was an avid bridge player, quilter, sewer and rug hooker. In her fifties, she and Bill took up golf, and enjoyed many years of play at the Gananoque Golf Club. As grandchildren arrived, she received a new name. She became the wonderful ‘Amma’ to five grandchildren and five great-grand-children. To everyone who knew her, she was an example of strength, and genuine dedication -- a model of motherhood and service. She touched the lives of so many with dignity, honesty, a sense of humour and an unwavering drive to do the right thing for everyone involved. When asked how she wanted to be remembered, she simply replied, “as a kind and good person”. Loved and respected for those very things, we are grateful for having had Eleanor in our lives. The family would like to express their deepest gratitude to the exceptionally professional and loving staff at ‘Carveth’. Dr. Arawn Therrien and Dr. Christine Miller have also been instrumental in her expert care over the years. Thank you all for your dedication, your expertise, and your exemplary service. A Family Graveside Gathering will be held at the Gananoque Cemetery at a later date. If desired, memorial donations may be made to The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, the Gananoque Food Bank, or your charity of choice.