Rachel Eleanor Haddow

Eleanor passed away at the Langley Hospice (Langley, BC) early Sunday morning following a brave battle with cancer.  She turned the page on her 89^th birthday on Friday surrounded by friends and family. 

Eleanor was predeceased by an infant son, a grandson, three brothers, and three husbands.  She is survived by her 4 children: Barb Veldhuis (Airdrie); Dallas Bain (Veronica – Grande Prairie); Rhonda Hrdlicka (James – Arizona); and Beverly Siemens (Sam – Abbotsford).  She treasured her relationships with her 5 grandchildren (Adam, Tanya, Kimberly, Ali, and Austin) and Veronica’s 3 children (Rebecca, Connie, and Garrett) as well as 9 great-grandchildren (Marshall, Meredith, Brandon, Colton, Sadie, Jolene, Dustin, Hannah, and Norah).  She also leaves many nieces, nephews and other extended family.

She believed in the power of education to change lives and dedicated herself to teaching. Following a Bachelor of Education from the University of Alberta, she taught grade school, was a principal, and was instrumental in the development of the correspondence program for Northern BC. Each of her students carries with them a piece of her legacy. 

Retiring at 55, she enjoyed pottery, traveling, and giving back to her community. She authored Canuck Classic: The Story of a Treasured One-Room School, a history of where she first taught. In her retirement, she became a “master” quilter and spent the past 25 years designing and stitching countless beautiful quilts. Many people, including her family and the community, are wrapped in her warm quilts, all made with love. Her love of quilting lead her to deep friendships with the “sisters of the cloth.”  That group of friends were incredibly special to her and spent many hours with her during her time at the hospice.  They shared memories of many quilt shows, visits over tea and lunch, and traveling to quilt shops all over North America.

The family wishes to thank the special friends from the quilting community and the wonderful friends and neighbours from her townhouse complex where she proudly lived on her own until recently.  A special thanks to Don and Lorraine, John and Clair, Darlene, Nancy, Norma, and the extraordinary medical staff and volunteers at Langley Hospice.

It was Eleanor’s wish that she be cremated and that there be no formal funeral service.  In lieu of flowers, should you wish, please make a donation to the Langley Hospice Society. In her memory, we ask that you laugh lots and hug long.