Obituary of Eunice Dorothy Coates
Eunice Dorothy Coates (nee Talken)
1928-2020
Our beloved “Morning Glory” Eunice passed on December 21, 2020 peacefully at the Bennett Village in Georgetown Ontario.
Beloved mother of the late Mark Coates (Rosemary) and daughter Delia Coates (Andrew). Beloved grandmother to Tasha Palumbo-Coates and Brendan Coates and great-grandmother to William Johnston. Predeceased by brother Ronald Talken (Lucille) and beloved auntie to Suyen Talken-Sinclair. Daughter of Madeline Grace Talken (nee Bailey) and Percy Talken. Dear second mom and friend to Lorraine Guerreiro.
Born in Benoni, South Africa, lived in Johannesburg, Nairobi and Mombassa Kenya, London England, Montreal, Brampton, Mississauga, Toronto and Ottawa Canada. Married Paul Ernest Coates 1958.
Eunice traveled within her native South Africa, England and Canada and loved the “tropics” in Africa and the Caribbean. She loved classical music, ballet and orchestral performances and acquired a high level in piano theory. She inspired a love of the arts into her children and family. We would hear of wonderful “musical evenings” she enjoyed in her youth with friends and family. In east Africa, England and Canada mom worked in secretarial and office administration for the IODE, private firms and government. In early days she modeled impromptu for “Imp Studios” where her mother worked. Her first experience in Canada after leaving “sunny South Africa” was Montreal in the winter! Unaware of the extent of the cold new friends gave her a proper coat and boots for the winter weather.
Eunice always had a kind, thoughtful and inclusive way with people she met and worked with and was a loyal friend and devoted mother through and through with all her family. She had the most infectious laugh and smile that lit up a room! We all loved her South African accent. Beautiful qualities of spirituality, gentleness, selflessness, generosity, compassion, and humanitarianism defined her. She loved animals, cats, dogs, birds and especially “the big cats” of Africa – specifically Lions and Cheetahs. She often recalled having the opportunity to stroke a Cheetah cub and how loudly it purred and stole her heart. She became a vegetarian out of compassion for animals and instilled this awareness in her family and others. She would speak fearlessly about unnecessary injustices to animals which instilled in us awareness and respect for all life. She supported the SPCA and other animal, wildlife and environmental charities. She always had crumbs and seed for the birds and squirrels and would support wildlife whenever she could. She was an avid walker and would go for long nature walks in the nearby Toronto ravine parks and the country roads when visiting family in Ottawa. She frequently recounted a winter dog walk and picnic lunch in a nearby provincial park and was always eager to join us for extensive nature hikes.
As a parent she was both mother and father to her children and grandchildren setting an example of loyalty and guardianship. Her full strength was felt in her unfettered determination to unify and support family. She supported and encouraged us in our endeavours and always believed in us. She wanted us to have opportunities and success in our lives – to be good and upstanding.
Mom spent her final 3 3/4 years at the Bennett Village in Georgetown Ontario. Everyone was exceptionally caring and supportive and we are extremely grateful for everything they did for Eunice especially during this past year in these difficult times. We are also grateful to Jones’ Funeral Home for quickly helping us when the need was there.
We will have a service for Eunice when most if not all restrictions have been lifted and will notify family and friends when that might be. In memory of Eunice we know she would love to see support provided to the SPCA or an animal rescue or environmental cause of your choice.
Our most sincere sympathies to the family and friends of Eunice Dorothy Coates 2020..
Death notice for the town of: Georgetown, Province: Ontario