Obituary
Eleanora Marie Chesley
Baddeck
With hearts full of love, we announce the peaceful journey of Eleanora Marie Chesley, age 91, on Sunday, April 5, 2020, at MacLeod House in Baddeck, encircled by her loving family.
Born at home near Rockglen, Saskatchewan, Eleanora was the eldest of five children born of the late George and Thelma (Lewis) McGowan. Eleanora is survived by two loving McGowan brothers, Floyd (Mattie) and Richard (Margaret), having lost another brother Lewis (Tess), and her only sister Georgina (Orval) Whitford.
Eleanora was married to Chesley brothers, George Bela from 1948 until his death in 1980. At the age 80 she married Hugh Murray, until his passing in 2014.
Eleanora was fiercely proud and protective of her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren, and turned to Facebook everyday to see what was new in her families. Her oldest son Kurt (Dianne) resides in Prince Albert, Saskatchewan, and second son Neil (Diane) makes Quesnel, British Columbia his home. Eleanora much loved watching the Scotties Tournament of Hearts in Sydney in 2019, when her sons made their way to Cape Breton. She was thrilled to watch and meet some of her curling idols. Eleanora’s daughter Graca (Bruce) Hollett lives in Kempt Head, Cape Breton, where Eleanora loved the Bras d’Or and the lupins lining the roadways. Kurt, Neil and Graca have loving children and grandchildren who have had enduring and exciting adventures with their beloved Nanny!
Eleanora was especially close to three generations of Hollett families and friends, from across the country, who loved hearing her stories of the old days on the prairie. The past two years took Eleanora and her children, to Baddeck and into the MacLeod House circle of forever friendships.
Eleanora was well known for her magic hands, which created intricate pieces of knitting, crocheting, needlepoint, sewing, painting, ceramics, millinery, landscaping, upholstery, cake decorating and woodwork. She was always looking for the most complicated patterns with a challenge, as it wasn’t fun for her to make anything simple, and as such was never bored. One of her passions was baking bread, buns and cinnamon buns, often by the many dozens. There was something she loved about punching down the dough, and having every single bun exactly the same size and shade of brown.
Eleanora’s family would like to express gratitude for the supreme care and attentions showered upon her from the Baddeck health care team of Dr. Elena Garcia del Busto and Dr. John Ritter, Palliative Care, Continuing Care and Home Support of Victoria County. With this team of loving hands, following an acute stroke, Eleanora was able to find peace, comfort and dignity among her souvenirs.
In the future, Eleanora will make her final journey to lie with the father of her children George, in the Soldier’s Plot of the South Hill Cemetery in Prince Albert, Saskatchewan.
In these days of distance, a celebration of Eleanora’s Incredible Adventures will take place on Facebook. Please find her page, share a memory and read of her many escapades.
In this time of economic uncertainty, in lieu of donations, please think of Eleanora when curling season resumes, when you see a mass of lupins, an orchid in bloom, or her favourite blossoms, African violets.
Funeral arrangements are under the care and direction of W.J. Dooley Funeral Home, North Sydney.
Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.wjdooley.com
To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Eleanora Marie (McGowan) Chesley, please visit our floral store.

Our most sincere sympathies to the family and friends of Eleanora Marie McGowan Chesley March 17 1929 April 5 2020 (age 91)..

w.j.dooley funeral service

Death notice for the town of: North-Sydney, Province: Nova Scotia

death notice Eleanora Marie McGowan Chesley March 17 1929 April 5 2020 (age 91)

mortuary notice Eleanora Marie McGowan Chesley March 17 1929 April 5 2020 (age 91)