DORLAND, Eleanor (Mary) (nee Scott)
97, of St. Catharines, born in Port Dalhousie.
Passed away peacefully, on Tuesday, May 23, 2023. She was surrounded with an abundance of love from her entire family when she passed, after a short stay with the incredibly caring staff at Heidehof Home for the Aged, in St. Catharines. In particular all of the incredible staff on the 3rd floor.
Eleanor was born May 5, 1926 to Eva and Henry Scott in Port Dalhousie. She loved growing up in Port Dalhousie and often shared treasured memories of her lifelong friendships with everyone she knew there. After graduating from the St. Catharines Collegiate she became a "farmerette" in Niagara, as her contribution to the war effort. For a brief period in the 40's she moved to Toronto to work as a junior editor for Mclean Hunter. She loved her job there and reminiscing of her time spent living in Toronto.
After two exciting years in Toronto, she moved back to Port Dalhousie, where she reconnected with the love of her life, Carl Dorland from St. Catharines. Carl had joined the Navy during the war. Eleanor and Carl married on November 28, 1952, at St. Andrews Church on Main Street in Port Dalhousie. From 1954 to 1964 they would have 4 children, Scott (Rose), St. Catharines, ON., Wendy (Erik) Sherwood Park, Alta., Paul, Calgary, Alta and Jason (Robyn), Victoria, BC.
Eleanor and Carl started their married life together in Windsor in 1952, then moved to Goderich in 1956 and eventually moved back to St. Catharines in 1961, where Carl had accepted a teaching position at Ridley College. There, they built an incredible and memorable life together with their four children and had many dear life long friends in St. Catharines and the Ridley community. They lived at Ridley College until 1988, when Carl retired. Eleanor also worked as a librarian for many years at the St. Catharines and Grantham Library until she retired in 1990.
Eleanor was an expert bridge player and a member of a bridge club, book club and crafters. She had many lifelong friendships from those clubs and enjoyed hosting the members of her various clubs at her and Carl's, home on the lake on Simpson Road. Eleanor's main source of love and pride was her family. She loved each and every one and showed genuine interest in everyone's life and accomplishments. She was the consummate; wife, mother, mother-in-law, grandmother, aunt, sister and friend. Dearly loved so much, by so many. She enjoyed hosting wonderful social gatherings with special attention to detail to her table setting, always making family and friends feel special. Both Eleanor and Carl loved to travel to Florida and Barbados and had very special travel buddies that they shared many wonderful holidays with over the years. The legacy they leave behind is love of family, life long friendships and that education, sport and travel are so important to a life well lived. We will forever treasure our summers at the cottage in Bobcaygen that mom and dad generously made possible for our entire family to share and create many special memories. Eleanor is predeceased by her loving husband, Carl Dorland, her brother George Scott and her sister Mildred (Scottie) Freeman. Also predeceased by her brother-in-law, Denny Crothers, sister-in-law, Beverly Graves, sister-in-law, Dorthyjoan Pilcher, sister-in-law, Peggy Scott, brother-in-law, Geoffrey Pilcher, niece Robyn Graves and nephew Kingsley Scott.
Eleanor leaves behind a large extended family, including: six grandchildren; Jenny Vandrunen (Chris Mckellar), Laura Sundell (Jeff Sundell), Mark Vandrunen (Jaclyn) (expecting another child in May), Ryan Dorland (Annakay), Kaylyn Dorland (Brian Favero), Mataya Dorland.
Eight great-grandchildren; Grace Mckellar, Emma Mckellar, Charlie Mckellar, Henley Sundell, Mason Sundell, Blake Sundell, Ellie Vandrunen and Noa-rose Dorland. As well, she will be missed by Edwin Graves (brother-in-law) and many beloved nieces, nephews and friends.
Visitation will be held at Hulse ad English Funeral Home and Chapel, (75 Church St. Catharines, ON.) on September 1, 2023, from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. A Funeral Service will follow in the funeral home chapel. A Celebration of life will be held for Eleanor at Williams Dining Hall in Lower School at Ridley College following the Funeral Service. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the charity of your choice or The Heidehof Home for the Aged in St. Catharines, who provided exceptional care for Mom in her final days or The Jays Care Foundation.