Obituary of Eloise Irene Eagleson

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Eloise Irene Eagleson (nee Pym), on Saturday, November 15th, 2025 in her 91st year.

Beloved wife of the late Jack. Loving mother of Janet (Rosemary) and Dave (Paula). Loving grandma of Justin, Dylan and Gavin. Cherished sister of Harold and predeceased by siblings Donald, Marion, Jack and Stanley.

Eloise will be lovingly remembered by many nieces and nephews, extended family, and dear friends, some of whom saw her more as a sister than a friend. 

Eloise was the epitome of selflessness. She was still a child when she started raising her siblings because their mother was ill. She turned helping with homework into assigning it as a Grade 3 teacher in the 1950s and 60s. Eloise married Jack and moved to the farm, ultimately giving up teaching for the hope of having her own children. That didn’t come easy, and it took time before Janet arrived and then Dave. She never turned down a volunteer opportunity, from Brownies and Home and School, to 4-H leadership and canvassing for charity.  Eloise loved her church (Greenway United) and was active on every committee – Stewards, Manse, President of the United Church Women, and more. She organized the annual Ham and Strawberry Supper, led meal prep and serving for wedding receptions, and led a cadre of funeral reception caterers, adept at the tiny triangular sandwiches and copious desserts that fed the bereaved at every community funeral.  Eloise was a seamstress. She shortened pants, fixed zippers (even in dirty barn coats), made clothes for herself and her children, and made wedding and bridesmaids dresses. She loved to quilt, knit and crochet. She managed to participate in several quilt groups and knitting clubs, even through almost 13 years of caregiving and chauffeuring Jack to dialysis, three times a week.

Eloise was a two-time cancer survivor. The second time, at 80-and-a-half, she flatly (and politely) told her oncologist that watching and waiting to see what would happen wasn’t an option because she “had things to do.” She flew through treatment with a grace and strength that astounded everyone. Ultimately, cancer was what took her, quickly and peacefully. 

Special thanks to the team at Country Manor in Thedford where Eloise spent her last seven months. It was like going home – the Manor was just a few doors down from her childhood home. There, she found many friends that went back to her elementary school days, and the team led by Stacey Riddell helped her finally go from being a caregiver to being cared for. 

Visitation will be held at Denning's of Parkhill 183 Broad St, Parkhill, on Thursday, November 20th from 6 to 8pm and Friday, November 21st from 12 to 1pm. A Funeral Service will be held in the Chapel on Friday November 21st at 1pm. Interment will follow at Parkhill Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to Jessica’s House Hospice in Exeter in memory of Eloise.