Ruth Eleanor Wall

RUTH ELEANOR WALL

September 18, 1930 – June 23, 2025

Our family announces the passing of Eleanor on June 23, 2025 at the age of 94 at the Barrie Manor Enhanced Care Facility. Eleanor was a beloved and loving wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother. She was predeceased by her husband of 68 years, Allan Alfred Wall (December 4, 2020). She is survived by her children: Janet, John (Linda), Barb (Dave Carrick) and Nancy (Tom Ekers); grandchildren Emily (Abhi) and Elizabeth (Rob) Gould, Andrew (Lisa), Rob (Stef) and Lisa (Andrew) Carrick, and Jordan (Carly), Paul (Daneel) and Kayla (Jack) Ross (collectively known as “the Cousins”); and great-grandchildren Aurora, Cooper and Chloe Banka-Gould, Jack Furnish, Sydney Carrick, Tommy Carrick, Layla and Harper Ross, Andi Emblem, and Paul and Daneel’s any-day-now baby girl.

Eleanor was born in the Avenue Road and Eglinton area of Toronto to Frederick and Pauline Hallford, and was the little sister to Marion, Murray and Donald. She attended Allenby Public School and Lawrence Park Collegiate. After finishing school, she worked as a secretary at the Hospital for Sick Children and Canada Life. While working one summer in the post-war years as a Farmerette harvesting peaches in the St. Catharines area, Eleanor met Allan. They married in 1952 and moved to the small village of Walkerton in Bruce County where Allan worked for the Ontario Department of Agriculture before being transferred to Barrie, and then finally to Newmarket. After Allan’s retirement in 1985, they made their permanent home at Eleanor’s grandparent’s cottage at Big Cedar Point on Lake Simcoe.

Summers at Eleanor’s family’s cottage were a constant. She spent every summer there before being married. In 1965, she and Allan bought the cottage next door for their own family. The two cottages remain in the family. The Cousins spent their summers there as children, watched over by a ‘village’ of grandparents, parents, aunts and uncles, and remain the best of friends. Eleanor and Allan were grateful that they were able to provide a place for family to gather each summer.

Eleanor was a quiet, reserved person. Her family and friends were drawn to her by her warmth and sweetness. The most anticipated hour of each day for Eleanor and Allan was at 5:00 p.m. when everyone gathered to share a sociable beverage and great conversations. Eleanor and Allan showed their love for their ever-growing family by quietly helping each of us as needed, in big and small ways, never asking for anything in return. We now strive to do the same.

She loved Bridge, curling, golfing, knitting, crocheting, working on needlepoint and sewing projects, and ice cream. She made the most delicious rhubarb tarts and jam.

Eleanor passed away peacefully after several years of slowly failing health hastened by a fall in December, 2024. The last six months were the most challenging of her life – missing Allan and missing her home.

Burial took place at the Innisfil Cemetery followed by a Celebration of Life at the family cottages.

The family thanks the staffs at Lakeside Retirement Home, Royal Victoria Hospital, Southlake Regional Health Centre, and especially at Barrie Manor for their care, kindness and respect.