BUCKLES, Elinor Louise
October 10, 1926 - February 8, 2019
It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Elinor, on Friday, February 8, 2019, at the age of 92. Born in Niagara Falls, Ontario, daughter of Harold Damude and Mildred Bridget Newman. Loving wife of the late Robert James (Buck) Buckles (married 1991, predeceased 2016). Previously married to the late Robert Andrew Craig (married 1948, predeceased 1975). Devoted mother of Mary Louise Di Iorio (Jerry) and Robert Duncan Craig. Proud step-mother of Steve Buckles (Sarah), Daniel (Debra), and Casey (Hilda). Cherished grandmother of Michael Di Iorio (Alex North) and David Di Iorio (Jessica Constantin). Caring step-grandmother of Jessica, Ian, Ryan, Daniel, Toby, and Melissa. Delighted great-grandmother of Alice Rose Di Iorio, and step-great-grandmother of Ella, Mara, and Sophia. Predeceased by her brother Peter Kearns Damude (1927-2010). Elinor’s memory will always be cherished by her nieces, nephews, extended family, neighbours, and friends. The family would like to thank the staff of the Queensway Carleton Hospital and the Ruddy-Shenkman Hospice for their kindness and support in her last days.
Elinor grew up in Niagara Falls. The pristine beauty of its many parklands instilled the love of nature and the independence and sense of adventure that she retained for the rest of her life. Elinor graduated from the St. Michael’s Hospital School of Nursing in 1948, and nursed in Emergency, Recovery and I.C.U. The same year, she married Bob Craig, her high school sweetheart, and they had two children, Louise and Bob. In 1972 Elinor fulfilled her lifelong ambition to obtain her pilot’s license, and she was honoured as the Orillia Air Service’s outstanding lady student. Bob and Elinor spent most of their married life in Erindale Woodlands (Mississauga) and at their cottage on Lake Couchiching; they moved to the Caledon Hills just a few years before Bob’s death in 1975. Elinor then returned to work as an Assistant Manager and Conference Coordinator for Millcroft Inn in Alton, Ontario. Ever curious and spirited, she explored the Galapagos Islands and Peru on her own. Ten years after Bob’s death, Elinor sold their Caledon home, bought a house in Clearwater, Florida and divided her time between there and Lake Couchiching. In 1991 she married Bob (Buck) Buckles, an old family friend. Elinor and Buck split their time between their winter home in Naples, Florida, their summer cottages on Lake Couchiching and Lake Temagami, and their home in Nepean. Elinor took up golf in her later years, and she and Buck travelled to Europe and canoed the Nahanni River. After Buck’s death, Elinor continued to live in her apartment in Nepean and drive her own car, independent and undaunted until the end.
At Elinor’s request, no funeral service will take place. Interment will be in St. Andrews - St. James Cemetery, Orillia, Ontario. Memorial donations to Hospice Care Ottawa, Ruddy-Shenkman Hospice in Kanata are appreciated. Funeral care entrusted to
Kelly Funeral Home – Kanata Chapel
580 Eagleson Rd.
613-591-6580
Condolences and Sharing Memories at www.arbormemorial.ca/en/kelly-kanata