Obituary of Eleanor Lancaster
Born in Irricana Alberta, August 10th, 1928, passed away in her 97th year, peacefully at home surrounded by her family. Eleanor settled in St. Catharines in 1959 with her husband, Harry Hamilton (Bud) Lancaster. She was predeceased by Bud and brother Richard Goodwin of Alberta. She leaves behind one sister and two brothers in Alberta, her 4 children, Richard (Leanne), Janet (Scott), Elizabeth, and Greg (Laurie). She was a very special ‘Grammie’ to her 8 grandchildren, Nick (Kira) and Margaret (Adam), Joey and Laura, Ted and Tori, Reid and Dane. and 2 great-grand children, Eleanora (Nora) and Luka. She will be dearly missed by many family members in Alberta and across the country.
Eleanor’s story is impressive. After losing her mother while she was still in high school, she and her sister took turns attending school to share the duties of looking after younger siblings and their home so that their father could continue to tend the large family farm. Despite juggling these duties she excelled in school, pursued post secondary education with the support of family in Toronto, and graduated from McMaster University with a BA in pre-medicine, from the University of Toronto with an Honours Bachelor of Science, and added a Master’s degree in Nutrition.
Since that time, Eleanor has been a teacher, consumer advocate, volunteer, politician and civil servant. Before moving to St. Catharines with Bud, Eleanor was a staff member and lecturer at Ryerson Polytechnical Institute. After her move, she became a consumer’s advocate through her work with the Consumers Associations of Canada and Ontario. Some may remember her once weekly radio call-in show, fielding questions on everything from purchasing products to processing fruits and vegetables.
Eleanor was the first female appointed to the Ontario Environmental Assessment Board, serving as Vice Chair. She was a Regional Councillor for Niagara from 1982 to 1991. She was a passionate supporter and advocate for children’s health and well being, as well as social supports for families. She was also a trailblazer for many women who followed her footsteps into civil service and community leadership roles.
Over the years, she served on numerous boards, often as Chair or Vice Chair. The lengthy list includes but is not limited to; the Brock University Board of Trustees, the Niagara College Board of Governors, The Lincoln County Board of Education, Hotel Dieu Hospital Board, Canadian Henley Rowing Corporation and United Way Campaign. Eleanor served as Chair of the Board for Goodwill Niagara and was campaign Chair of their $1.6M Stokes Project, an endeavour that she was particularly proud of. She recognized the great need and value in this project for the Niagara community.
Eleanor didn’t do any of this for the accolades. She truly believed in the value of public service and in doing the right thing. Regardless, she was the recipient of much recognition - some of the most notable being awarded both the Queen’s Gold and Diamond Jubilee medals, the YWCA Women of Distinction Award, the Paul Harris Fellowship honour by the Rotary Club of St. Catharines, as well as Volunteer of the Year for the City of St. Catharines. She has had a positive influence on countless individuals over her 96 years.
Despite her time spent in community service, probably the most important to her was the time spent as the matriarch and focal point of the extended Lancaster family. She presided over many family dinners, parties, babysitting hours, advice sessions, recipe sharing and marathon canning sessions with kids and grandkids. Eleanor loved her garden, her heritage home and her growing family. She leaves a huge hole to fill and will be dearly missed by her family, friends, neighbours and colleagues.
Funeral arrangements have been entrusted with the GEORGE DARTE FUNERAL HOME 585 Carlton St. Catharines. Guests are invited for a time of visitation on the afternoon of Thursday, January 16th 2025 from 2 to 4 pm, and again from 7 to 9 pm, with a service held the next day, Friday, January 17th 2025 beginning at 11:00am in the funeral home ceremony room. If desired, donations may be made in Eleanor’s memory to Community Care St. Catharines, Hospice Niagara or the St. Catharines Rowing Club.