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On May 22nd, 2020, Elaine Zehr passed away peacefully at age 87 during a brief stay in the hospital being treated for diabetes related complications.
March 28, 1933 marked the beginning of Elaine’s earth-brightening journey. Second of nine siblings, this shy, compassionate and readily smiling soul was always seeking ways to benefit others. She is survived by her husband and companion of 62 years, Daniel Ervin Zehr; their children, Byron (Barb), Keith, Deb (Zoran); her beloved grandchildren, Megan (Adam) Thiessen, Jessica (Moses) Falco and her beautiful great-grandchildren Arianna, Briella, Marcello, David and Clara. Elaine was pre-deceased by her parents, Melvin and Mabel (Roth) Bender and her siblings and in-laws Grace (Kenneth) Schwartzentruber, Gerald Bender, Mary (Robert) Johnston, Doreen (Jerry) Ropp, John Ropp and Ray Bender. Her surviving brother, sisters and in-laws John (Janet) Bender, Janice (Aden) Brubacher, Darlene Ropp and Verna Bender together with many dear “Zehr” in-laws, nieces and nephews join us in our mourning and in celebrating her life.
On August 17, 1957 she married Dan Zehr whose career with MCC administration often left Elaine with their three children alone while he was on overseas trips, often for weeks at a time. Through these times she was always able to find a way to balance her career with being a loving and caring mother.
Early on she had her heart set on a nursing career. She graduated in 1957 with a Bachelor of Science degree in nursing at Goshen College (Indiana) and obtained her RN. She practiced nursing in Elkhart, Indiana; Strathroy, Ontario; Winnipeg and Bolivia. Throughout her career, she was known for her ability to give injections that hurt less and start IVs when others found it difficult to find the veins. She worked in Intensive care wards for 12 of those years. Dan could tell if she had a shift where someone had died as her feelings of compassion and sympathy showed. This also shone through in her relationships with many friends whose lives were profoundly affected by her compassion and genuine caring.
Elaine lived a quiet but deep faith, always seeking ways to comfort and give to others. In later years she took to sewing, knitting, cross stitching and more. Whenever visiting others or hosting company, invariably she would offer them a hand-made dishcloth. She literally made hundreds of them and still has more than a dozen in stock.
She suffered a degree of dementia in later years but always kept her kind and pleasant nature. During her hospitalization the nurses and doctors all commented on her sweetness and her smile. We extend appreciation to the medical team on Baker 3 and Abbotsford Regional Hospital for the care and kindness showed to her and our family during her last days. A special thank you to Dr. Husain Khambati for being compassionate to the end, sharing a special affinity for Elaine though having a short time together.
Our wife mother grandmother and great grandmother had a joy, a smile and a laugh that was effortless and genuine. It came straight from her soul and entered other people’s hearts. She is sorely missed, but through her steadfast compassion and faith she continues to speak to and love her family and countless friends. She left the world a brighter place for us all.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Mennonite Central Committee.
An on-line memorial service will be held on Friday, May 29th, 2020 at 1:00 PM BC / Pacific Time. Instructions on how to join will be posted shortly.
An in-person internment and celebration of life memorial service will be planned for a future date.
Our most sincere sympathies to the family and friends of Elaine Mabel Zehr Bender March 28 1933
May 22 2020..
Death notice for the town of: Abbotsford, Province: Colombie britanique