EDWARDS-ROSS, Eleanor (Frances) – Eleanor was born on the family farm on May 8, 1944 just outside of Cobden, Ontario. From the day she was born, she was on the go, making people smile, laugh and touching hearts across Canada. Eleanor lived in many places — Vancouver, Ottawa, Foleyet and Timmins –but the Valley would always be her home. Her diverse careers matched her diverse character. Former civilian member of National Defense and RCMP, Foleyet Local Services Board, Interior Decorator/Seamstress, Cochrane Elder Abuse Awareness Co-ordinator, VCARS member, but most of all she will be remembered for her healing touch on so many people and hearts of our First Nation brothers and sisters along the James Bay and Hudson Bay Coastline where she worked as a Crisis Intervention and Natural Healing Support Worker. When Eleanor wasn’t doing this, she was helping her son on his log home, making jewelry, painting and taking pictures. Her artwork and her name would float around the Timmins and Muskoka art culture as a faint, gentle whisper, followed by a smile. Helping people, art and life were her passions, but her energy was the love of her family. Wife to Frederick John Ross of Foleyet/Timmins and loving mother and best friend to one of her greatest accomplishments she would say, but he denies it, her son Jason Ross of Muskoka. Later on in her life she would be reunited with her son Dale Kerr of Orillia and his lovely wife Elaine and two beautiful grandchildren, Thomas and Charlotte. Her love, smile, humour and hugs will be missed by her siblings: Robert Edwards (Dorothy) of Cobden, Alice Edwards (aka Yog) of Leduc, AB and Sheila Edwards of Peterborough. Sister-In-Law to William Ross (Heather), Late George Ross (Christina), Kathy Ross-Lak (Stephen), Marion Ross-Gay (Gabriel), and Rita Challis (Wayne); her warm heart-filled hugs by her 11 nieces and nephews and 13 great nieces and nephews. Eleanor’s drive and strength will be missed by both the Ross and Edwards’s families, as it gave everyone an appreciation and acknowledgement that Eleanor’s strength was greater than life itself. This was admired by all the staff and doctors of Timmins District Hospital and Princess Margaret Hospital that she touched these past months. The family would like to thank them and her helpful spirits Christina Ross (McManus) and Kristine Grikis who helped in the fight. Please come celebrate Eleanor’s love and energy with family and friends on the first day of Summer, Saturday, June 21, 2014 in Cobden, Ontario. A service will be conducted at 3 p.m. at St. Paul’s Anglican Church, 29 Crawford Street. Later that evening at 8 p.m., come join family and friends for a send-off in Eleanor’s memory in true Irish fashion at the Cobden Legion Hall, 43 Main St, Cobden. Donations can be sent to the Timmins District Hospital Foundation-Oncology Department, Princess Margaret Oncology Research Section or the Timmins Native Friendship Center.
