SHAVER, Eleanor

ELEANOR MARY ELIZABETH SHAVER 1921 – 2023 Mrs. Eleanor Mary Elizabeth Shaver of Lethbridge passed away on Saturday, December 23, 2023, at the age of 102 years.
Eleanor was born in Indian Head, Saskatchewan, the daughter of Reginald and Mary Dayman, and grew up in the small village of Bateman, Saskatchewan. After graduating from school in 1939, she worked for two years in the post office, then left home in 1942 to walk in the civil service in wartime, Ottawa. She returned west and entered nurses’ training in Moose Jaw General Hospital in 1944, graduating in 1947. She practiced her profession for about ten years in various places in Saskatchewan and Alberta, then attended the University of Alberta and obtained a diploma in Public Health Nursing. She worked as a public health nurse in Leduc-Strathcona Health Unit for several years.
She married William Aurthur Shaver RCA7 on July 15, 1961, and in June 1962 Bill was transferred to #4 Wing RCAF, Baden Soellingen, Germany. While in Germany they adopted their older daughter, Ruth, and on returning to Canada, Bill was stationed at Uplands, Ottawa, where they adopted their second daughter Marion. When Bill retired from the RCAF in 1968 they came to live in Lethbridge to be near Eleanor’s parents, and she has lived here ever since.
Eleanor did not return to nursing, but a lifelong love of reading led her to work in the Lethbridge Public Library, first as a part-time clerk, and after retirement, as a volunteer in the Read-On programme, a “job” that she loved.
She was a member of McKillop United Church, and for many years enjoyed singing with the choir, being a member of the Lethbridge Senior Citizens Organization, and a member of #702 Wing, Canadian Air Force Association. She enjoyed her friends in these organizations for many years. She and Bill enjoyed camping and had one major holiday trip across Canada in 1988. She loved the prairies and was proud to be the grandchild of pioneers in Saskatchewan.
She was predeceased by her husband Bill, her parents Reg and Mary Dayman, and an infant brother Donald. She is survived by two daughters, Ruth Reimer (Chuck Adams) of Lethbridge, and Marion (Claude) Despres of Napanee Ontario; three grandchildren, Robert Reimer, Donald Depres, and Jessica Despres; and four great grandchildren, Sophia and Liam Reimer, Dallan, and Tessa.
A Memorial Service will be held 2:00 PM, on Wednesday, January 3, 2024, at MARTIN BROTHERS RIVERVIEW CHAPEL, 610 4 ST S, Lethbridge, Alberta, with Reverend Terry Shillington officiating. To watch the service via livestream, please go to https://www.mbfunerals.com/obituary/Eleanor-MaryElizabeth-Shaver
A private family Graveside Service will be held prior in Archmount Cemetery, Lethbridge, Alberta.
If friends desire, donations may be made in Eleanor’s memory to the Canadian Cancer Society https://cancer.ca/
Visit www.mbfunerals.com to send a condolence.