Birtle (McLeod), Eleanor Isabel
Sept 17, 1933 - Aug 11, 2005
It is with sadness that we announce the death of mom after an eight-month battle with lung cancer.
Loving and devoted husband of 52 years Glenn Birtle was at her side at St. Joseph’s Hospital. Mom and friend of Brenda Thompson (Terry) of Courtenay, B.C., Sharon Schewaga (Ed) of Regina, Saskatchewan, Lori Parsons (Paul) of Halifax, Nova Scotia and Marion of Lloydminster, Alberta. Loving Grandma to Michael (Michelle), Shalene (Travis) Thompson, Amanda, Derek and Cheri Schewaga, Keith and Brian Parsons.
Born in Edmonton, Alberta, parents Ted and Emeline McLeod with her three loving sisters spent her childhood in the community of Rossdale Flats, enjoying roller-skating, speed skating and baseball.
In 1953 mom married Allan Glenn Birtle of Edmonton and they had us three girls. Wanting a better life for themselves and us girls we moved to Comox Valley in 1967. Mom very soon was active in the guiding movement as leader of the 2nd Courtenay Girl Guides enjoying this for many years. There are wonderful memories of backpacking journeys and camping with mom throughout B.C., especially here in Comox Valley and Paradise Meadows, for many women.
During her life mom worked for Safeway Ltd. as a cashier, Simpson Sears Ltd. as a clerk and retired as a First Aid Attendant in Zeballos. Mom enjoyed many years fishing off Bates Beach with Dad and taking visitors from the prairies fishing. Her years in “Guiding” gave her a great feeling of accomplishment and joy, as did teaching Industrial First Aid to many people in the Valley. Line dancing became moms’ passion in the last 10 years both teaching it and dancing in the Valley, Victoria and as a Snowbird down south to anyone who wanted to learn and have fun.
Mom’s cooking, baking, sewing, knitting, stainglass, and macramé patio chairs were and are enjoyed by many especially her girls and grandchildren. Mom enjoyed watching baseball games, speed and figure skating competitions, and in recent years bravely learn to swim.
Moms final gift was donation of her corneas to be transplanted through the “Legacy of Sight” in which her own father had been a recipient.
Please NO flowers but in memory of mom please make a donation to: St. Joseph’s General Hospital Foundation specifying Palliative Care Unit or Chemotherapy Unit, 2137 Comox Avenue, Comox, B.C. V9M 1P2.
A Memorial Service will be held in the Fall.