Obituary of Elinor G. McNeil

Please click here to view the livestream of the service

It is with great love and sadness that we announce the passing of Elinor G. McNeil on Monday, April 19, 2021. She recently celebrated her 89th birthday and was delighted that her family surprised her with a party via Zoom.

Elinor was born in Prince Albert to Ted and Betty Davis. Her family moved to Regina where she completed high school at Central Collegiate. She attended the University of Saskatchewan and University of Manitoba. Elinor had a variety of interests in her youth including speed swimming, badminton, tennis, figure skating, and hockey. After receiving her Bachelor of Science in Home Economics in 1955, she taught Home Economics, Math, and Science at Central Collegiate.

Elinor was one of the first female lifeguards and pool managers for the City of Regina. She met the love of her life, Jack McNeil, while on the job. They were married in 1956 and raised their three children in Regina. Elinor valued spending time with her family so she didn’t work while the family was young. Doing things together as a family was very important to Elinor. The family enjoyed skiing at Kimberly on Christmas holidays and competing in sailing regattas. Many treasured memories were created over summer holidays at their lovely log cabin on the shore of Emma Lake. 

Never one to sit still, Elinor stayed busy with her many interests. She was involved as a leader of Brownies, Girl Guides, and Explorers at Lakeview United Church. An active volunteer, she showed leadership in a number of organizations including the Regina Home Economics Club, the Gyrettes, and the Emma and Christopher Lake Association (ECLA). Elinor was on the Executive of the ECLA for 18 years and took pride in editing their spring newsletter that was distributed to 2000 cottages. She also served on the Board of PARCS (Provincial Association of Park Communities of Sask.) for many years. Elinor was thoughtful in keeping in touch with friends and family, and always remembering birthdays and making homemade greeting cards on her computer.

When her children were older, she returned to teaching from 1976 until her retirement in 1986. Around this time, Elinor took up golf and won two senior golf tournaments (Lakeview par 3), and eight tournaments (Lazy K course at Emma Lake). She revisited painting in retirement, an earlier passion, and spent many pleasant hours painting birds, scenes at Emma Lake, and their dog, Tammy.

Elinor is predeceased by her infant brother, Teddy; her parents; and brother-in-law, Garth Reid. She will be lovingly remembered by her husband Jack McNeil; children Ian (Ernestine) McNeil, Lyn (Barry) Swift and Marni (Garth) Hatcher; grandchildren Brent Janvier (Shelly Herman), Aubrey Swift (Conor Renouf), Evan Swift, Adam (Deanne) Swift, Sheena (Jordan) Stewart, Andrew Hatcher, Steven Hatcher (Aleksandra Maric); and great-grandchildren Noel Swift, Brenaya Janvier, and Brendon Janvier. Elinor is also survived by one sister, Marni Reid in Newfoundland.

A private Memorial Service for the family will be held on Friday, April 30, 2021 at 10:00 a.m. To view the livestream of the service please click on the link above. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Elinor’s memory to All In The Wild Conservation Land Fund at 'All In The Wild', 1011 Broadway Avenue, Saskatoon, SK. S7N 1C1, online at https://allinthewild.com/products/contribute-to-the-all-in-the-wild-land-fund or at (306) 933-4430.