Obituary of Cenetta Eleanor Williams

Cenetta Eleanor Williams (nee Yeo) passed away peacefully at home, in her 81st year, surrounded by her loving family, after a tenacious battle with cancer.

She is survived by the love of her life for over 57 years, David Leslie Williams.  Also survived by her brothers-in-law, Harold and Sharon, and Don and Diane. Eleanor will be deeply missed by her children Chris and Manon Williams, Sandy and Tom Bishop, and Beth and Jeff Wambolt.  Her grandchildren who loved her dearly, were her pride and joy: Eric andSarah Williams, Renée and Garrett Clifford, Brendan Bishop, Scott Bishop, Sierra O’Donovan and partner Jacob, Kaelyn Wambolt and Thomas Wambolt. Also missed by many cousins, nieces and nephews, friends and neighbours.  She is pre-deceased by her parents, Frank and Effie Yeo (nee Jewell), parents-in-law, Alden and Helen Williams (nee Norris), her brother, Franklin (Bud) Yeo and her son, Leonard.

Eleanor was born on August 20, 1941, and grew up on her family’s farm near Holmesville. After attending high school in Clinton, Eleanor pursued her dream of a career in nursing by training at the Royal Victoria Hospital in Montreal.  She nursed at Sick Kids Hospital in Toronto until her marriage to David in 1964, and then worked at St. Marys Memorial Hospital until starting a family. Eleanor paused her career while raising her children with Dave, but later returned to nursing, working at Children’s Hospital of Western Ontario, often looking after the little patients in the Paediatric Critical Care Unit. Later she became a familiar face at the St. Marys Medical Clinic, forming many friendships with the doctors and fellow nurses. After retiring, she and Dave went on several adventures, travelling to places like the British Isles, Africa, Portugal and Norway. Eleanor and Dave enjoyed camping and canoeing together, embarking on many trips with their kids all across Canada, and in their empty-nesting years at Quinn Lake and Algonquin Park. Eleanor’s passions were her family and sewing. She was a talented seamstress, making most of her own clothing, and a lot of bridesmaid dresses for her children’s weddings. Community was a big part of her life, and she and Dave lived and actively participated in the Kirkton-Woodham community for over 50 years, volunteering on the hospital board, Woodham UCW, and Kirkton Women's Institute for many years before moving to the house by the river in St. Marys in 2020.

Cremation has taken place.

Visitation at the Andrew L. Hodges Funeral Home, 47 Wellington St. S. St. Marys, on Friday, April 22, 2022 from 2:00 - 4:00 and 7:00 - 9:00 PM. Friends and family are invited to celebrate Eleanor's life at a memorial service at Thamesview United Church, 3178 Perth Rd.163, Fullarton, on Saturday, April 23 at 2:00 PM. Those attending the visitation and memorial service, please wear a mask to keep everyone safe.

Click here to view a video of the Memorial Service.

Private family burial will occur at Bethel-Munro Cemetery.

Memorial donations would be greatly appreciated to:

Thamesview United Church
3178 Perth Road 163 RR#1
Fullarton, Ont,.N0K 1H0

St.Marys Healthcare Foundation
P.O. Box 940
St. Marys, ON N4X 1B6

or Cystic Fibrosis Canada
2323 Yonge Street, Suite 800
Toronto, Ontario, M4P 2C9