April 28, 1960 - March 11, 2020
With deep sadness we mourn the passing of our beloved Eleanor Lynn McWhinnie, following a brief illness and hospitalization.
She was released from her longstanding pains and challenges on March 11, 2020.
Eleanor or "Ellie" as she was fondly known by her many friends and acquaintances, was born April 28 1960 in Edmonton, Alberta, and raised in Sherwood Park, just outside of Edmonton. Sherwood Park was a very small community in her early years. Friends and neighbours always looked out for each other when Ellie was growing up, and everyone helped out, sharing whatever they had whenever they could, which became a lifelong trait of hers.
Ellie was predeceased by many who were near and dear to her, including her parents Stanley and Jean McWhinnie, a brother, Glenn McWhinnie, her spouse "Bird" (Daniel Vincent) Price, and her life-long friend and cousin Bill Marshall.
Despite all the health and other burdens Ellie endured over the years, she was a most giving, kind-hearted, sentimental, and generous soul.
Eleanor tackled life's problems with unfailing optimism and cheer when many others would have given up long before.
In spite of everything, Ellie rarely felt hard done by. She would take on things as they came and was always grateful for all that she had.
After sharing news of some difficult situation with those close to her, Ellie would most often end the conversation with:
"Other than that, Life is Good"
Ellie loved animals, and had several dogs and cats over the years.
Her cat "Miss Kitty" lived to be 27 years old, but her favorite was a German Shepherd named "Laddie".
Eleanor's only stellar failure with animals occurred when she tried to adopt a skunk. Trying to charm it into coming home with her, it all went bad when she tried to pet it. Both she and Laddie clearly evidenced what happened next, and the family could smell them coming home a long way off.
Ellie's social life growing up involved many neighbourhood and family get-togethers.
She became an excellent cook, and her later social life was rich, entertaining friends and family for many years. Ellie shared her cooking skills particularly often with those who were alone during the holidays and special occasions.
As an adult, Ellie took formal cook's training through Selkirk College and later worked as an LPN, primarily in Palliative Care.
She loved music and had an extensive music collection. Ellie especially loved to listen to piano music and played the flute. She loved to dance and went out often to support the many musicians she knew. Writing, reading, playing cribbage, and gardening were also favorite pastimes.
Ellie always felt it was important to keep up to date on global and local news. She was passionate about numerous social issues - the environment, animal rights, Indigenous rights, land and wildlife conservation and the health care system.
Ellie held a special place in her heart for the homeless and hurting folk in her community. It was common for her to drop whatever she was doing to lend a hand, or offer emotional support and encouragement to her many friends over the decades.
Ellie will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved her.
She is survived by her eldest brother David McWhinnie (Catherine), and nephews Thomas and Scott McWhinnie, all of Whitehorse, YT.
A memorial celebrating her life will be held at a later date, to be announced.
In lieu of flowers please consider a donation to:
The Heart and Stroke Foundation
1-877-882-2582
The Nelson Salvation Army Food Bank
250-352-3488
The Good Food Bank
250-354-1633
Nelson SPCA
250-352-7178
Cremation courtesy of
Credible Cremations
Penticton B.C.