ELEANOR ANN MORTON
1946 – 2012
Cherished sister, aunt, colleague and friend, Eleanor died peacefully on October 5, 2012 at Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre, Palliative Care Unit, Toronto.
Predeceased by her parents, Betty and John Morton and her beloved sister Jeanne, Eleanor is survived by her siblings, Kathy [Brian Squair], Sandy [Marion], Isabel [Garry Peterson], sister-in-law Marie and brother-in-law Eric, many nieces and nephews and their families and her long-time good friend Ed Rogers.
Eleanor tackled her cancer journey with the same qualities as she lived her life, with determination, humour and independence. At first reluctantly and then gracefully she welcomed the support of a superb health care team, her family and a wide circle of friends in Toronto.
Eleanor lived her life honestly and authentically, never hesitating (right to her final days) to deliver what she knew was a truthful assessment of the situation. Bosses and colleagues quickly learned to rely on her perceptive, often ironic, observations. She showed a genuine interest in the careers and personal lives of family, friends and colleagues, giving generously of her time to mentor junior colleagues and drawing on her wide network to create connections. Eleanor had a beautiful talent for bringing people together.
Eleanor was born in Winnipeg and grew up on Banning Street in the West End and graduated from DMCI. She trained as a medical records librarian, working first at the Winnipeg General Hospital and moving on to Kenora and Toronto. After graduating from York University she embarked on a career in Risk Management. Eleanor became a trailblazer in that field, serving as the Healthcare Insurance Reciprocal of Canada (HIROC)’s first female VP and spearheading a risk management department that is now internationally renowned. She retired from HIROC in 2011, but stayed in touch with her risk colleagues and participated in company events.
The Morton family cottage was in Loni Beach, Gimli where many of Eleanor’s fondest family memories occurred. Twelve years ago Eleanor and her high school friend Wendy bought a cottage in Loni where she spent many enjoyable summer vacations, sharing in family celebrations, long walks, and singsongs by the bonfire.
Eleanor loved travelling. One of the defining trips of her life was living for several years in Australia, where she worked and made lifelong friends. She travelled extensively in Africa, South-East Asia and Europe and a few months ago was thrilled to experience an Arctic adventure with Ed on the Winnipeg-Churchill train and see polar bears up close. She had a passion for hiking, canoeing and cycling; was a long-time member of the Bruce Trail Association and was instrumental in coordinating the Overthehillite bike group. The many friends Eleanor made through all these activities will miss her humour, adventurous spirit, great curries and of course, her irrepressible urge to break into song.
Eleanor served on the boards of a number of organizations including the High Park Nature Centre, the Institute for Safe Medical Practice [ISMP] Canada and the Anne Johnston Health Station.
Cremation has taken place.
Memorial donations may go to Wellspring Westerkirk House at Sunnybrook, 2075 Bayview Avenue, Toronto, ON, M4N 3M5
1946 – 2012
Cherished sister, aunt, colleague and friend, Eleanor died peacefully on October 5, 2012 at Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre, Palliative Care Unit, Toronto.
Predeceased by her parents, Betty and John Morton and her beloved sister Jeanne, Eleanor is survived by her siblings, Kathy [Brian Squair], Sandy [Marion], Isabel [Garry Peterson], sister-in-law Marie and brother-in-law Eric, many nieces and nephews and their families and her long-time good friend Ed Rogers.
Eleanor tackled her cancer journey with the same qualities as she lived her life, with determination, humour and independence. At first reluctantly and then gracefully she welcomed the support of a superb health care team, her family and a wide circle of friends in Toronto.
Eleanor lived her life honestly and authentically, never hesitating (right to her final days) to deliver what she knew was a truthful assessment of the situation. Bosses and colleagues quickly learned to rely on her perceptive, often ironic, observations. She showed a genuine interest in the careers and personal lives of family, friends and colleagues, giving generously of her time to mentor junior colleagues and drawing on her wide network to create connections. Eleanor had a beautiful talent for bringing people together.
Eleanor was born in Winnipeg and grew up on Banning Street in the West End and graduated from DMCI. She trained as a medical records librarian, working first at the Winnipeg General Hospital and moving on to Kenora and Toronto. After graduating from York University she embarked on a career in Risk Management. Eleanor became a trailblazer in that field, serving as the Healthcare Insurance Reciprocal of Canada (HIROC)’s first female VP and spearheading a risk management department that is now internationally renowned. She retired from HIROC in 2011, but stayed in touch with her risk colleagues and participated in company events.
The Morton family cottage was in Loni Beach, Gimli where many of Eleanor’s fondest family memories occurred. Twelve years ago Eleanor and her high school friend Wendy bought a cottage in Loni where she spent many enjoyable summer vacations, sharing in family celebrations, long walks, and singsongs by the bonfire.
Eleanor loved travelling. One of the defining trips of her life was living for several years in Australia, where she worked and made lifelong friends. She travelled extensively in Africa, South-East Asia and Europe and a few months ago was thrilled to experience an Arctic adventure with Ed on the Winnipeg-Churchill train and see polar bears up close. She had a passion for hiking, canoeing and cycling; was a long-time member of the Bruce Trail Association and was instrumental in coordinating the Overthehillite bike group. The many friends Eleanor made through all these activities will miss her humour, adventurous spirit, great curries and of course, her irrepressible urge to break into song.
Eleanor served on the boards of a number of organizations including the High Park Nature Centre, the Institute for Safe Medical Practice [ISMP] Canada and the Anne Johnston Health Station.
Cremation has taken place.
Memorial donations may go to Wellspring Westerkirk House at Sunnybrook, 2075 Bayview Avenue, Toronto, ON, M4N 3M5