MARRIOTT, Eleanor Elizabeth

Entered this world on May 8, 1941. The family is sad to report that she departed this world on March 20, 2024, wrapped in the love and prayers of family and friends. She is at peace and free of pain. Eleanor was the youngest child of Stanley and Katherine (Coakley) Marriott. She was predeceased by her parents, her sister, Norma, and brother, Stan. She is survived by cousins, Frances Minty and Norine Heselton, as well as several other cousins. Eleanor was a Halifax girl. She grew up on Beech Street and remained in the family home until failing health forced her to relocate, with her cat, Basil, to a nearby apartment and then The Berkeley on Gladstone. Eleanor was sustained by her strong Catholic faith that helped her endure the downtimes with grace and acceptance. She was a long-time member of St. Theresa’s parish, giving generously of her time and her resources to support the work of the church, in the Parish office, on committees, at worship and, of course, in the church kitchen. She loved music, particularly classical music, and completed a course of piano study at the Halifax Academy of Music. An upright piano occupied pride of place in the living room of the family home. She never graced the concert stage, though, because her dislike of practicing outweighed her love of music. Eleanor graduated in 1961 from Mount Saint Vincent University with a Bachelor of Science. She went on to enjoy a long career in the NS Department of Health, including being in charge of the lab at the Halifax Infirmary. She took early retirement from the QE II Health Sciences Centre after 35 years, retiring as Director of Personnel. Eleanor loved animals and always had cats and dogs, until recently. She enjoyed visits from her friend, Dixie, at The Berkeley and always kept a stash of dog cookies for her. She was also a big fan of swans, ducks and geese, spending happy hours in their company in the Halifax Public Gardens. Eleanor was active throughout her life, walking, or driving with her sister, Norma, to explore every inch of Nova Scotia, meeting people and collecting treasures, or swimming when the family went to their summer cottage near Queensland Beach. She also enjoyed international travel, enjoying time in the UK. Her last trip was to Italy, fulfilling a lifetime dream. Special thanks to the Palliative Care team at the Halifax Infirmary and the Centennial Building of the VG for their gentle care of Eleanor in her final days and to the staff of The Berkeley for their kindness to Eleanor during her residency there. Please, if you wish, remember Eleanor with a donation to Prescott House or an animal charity of your choosing, in lieu of flowers. Cremation has taken place. Funeral arrangements are under the care of Cruikshank’s Funeral Home on Windsor Street. There will be a Mass of Christian Burial, 10 a.m., Monday, April 1, at Saint Stephen’s, 6032 Normandy Drive, Fr. Nathanael Desroches presiding. A reception will follow, when you can share memories. Eleanor’s ashes will be buried next to her sister in Gate of Heaven Cemetery at a later date.