February 9, 1925 - November 16, 2024
In Loving Memory ~
It is with deep sadness that the family of Eleanor Chambers announces her peaceful passing after a lengthy stay at Kootenay Lake Hospital.
Eleanor was predeceased by her parents Rosina and Giovanni Vecchio; her brothers Battiste, Jim and Joe Vecchio; her sister Marion Maglio and her daughter-in-law Janine Chambers.
Eleanor was born at home, in Fernie, BC. She was the fourth of six children of Rosina and Giovanni Vecchio. The Vecchio family moved to Nelson, BC in 1937 where Giovanni found employment at Canadian Pacific Railway and later the Royal Bank.
After leaving high school, Eleanor worked at a variety of jobs in Nelson including Powell's Match Block Factory, Overwaitea grocery store and Hood's bakery. It was at Hood's where Eleanor developed her great skill at decorating cakes - a skill she would use for many years after leaving Hood's to raise her family. There are generations of Chambers and Vecchio family members and friends who had their wedding cakes decorated by Eleanor.
Eleanor met her husband John (Jack) in 1945 as World War II was coming to an end. They were married on April 26, 1950. Eleanor and Jack purchased an old farmhouse at the top of Carbonate Street and made it their family home for the next 37 years.
After Jack's retirement from the CPR, Eleanor and Jack moved to their new home at 17 Mile where they thoroughly enjoyed 20 years of lakeside living. In their retirement, Eleanor enjoyed painting, gardening, fishing, knitting and most of all, hosting as many family gatherings as were humanly possible.
Family was everything to Eleanor and she was never happier than when she could prepare a big pasta dinner for all those she could squeeze around her kitchen table. In 2007, Eleanor and Jack moved to an apartment in Fairview where they lived until recently.
Eleanor was the True North of the Chambers family. There is no one with more integrity, a stronger sense of fairness and knowledge of right from wrong. Eleanor also had a kind heart and compassion for anyone who needed help. Her family never had a lot, but she was happy to share what they had with those that had less. Her sense of humour and her determination carried her through many health struggles in her later years, but she never let them keep her down for long. She was truly an inspiration to all who knew her.
Left to mourn Eleanor are her husband of 74 years Jack; her sister Sue Gelinas, her sons, Jack Jr. (Lynn), Jim, Ken (Cindy); her grandsons Michael (Lydia), Dan (Lareena), Chris (Carlie), Jason (Kim) and Ken (Beth), her great grandchildren Alice, Chloe, Nolan and Ryan as well as numerous nieces and nephews spread across western Canada and the United States.
Eleanor's family would like to express their sincere thanks to the doctors and staff of the Kootenay Lake Hospital for their loving care of Eleanor these last few months.
Eleanor's urn will be laid to rest at 11am on Friday, November 29 during a graveside service in the Nelson Memorial Cemetery followed by a celebration of life for family and friends, at 12:00 PM at the Prestige Lakeside Resort.
Friends wishing to make a donation in Eleanor's memory can do so to the Kootenay Lake Hospital Foundation.
For more information and to leave a message of condolence, please see the Thompson Funeral Service website at https://www.thompsonfs.ca
SUNSET OF LIFE
As I walk toward the sunset of life
I look back at the early years of hard work and strife
I have been in the valleys as well as the peaks
I have tried to show strength and not seem weak
I have had joys and sometimes some fear
A lot of laughter and even shed tears
I'm proud of my children and what they have done
I thank God above for three wonderful sons
So now as I await my fate from on high
I bid you all a fond goodbye.
Eleanor Chambers
Service Details
11:00 AM